Twilight Dreams

by Amanda Ashley

  Sighing, Holly rested her head against Micah’s chest. What was another few days?

  * * *

  Micah blew out a sigh of exasperation. He had spent the last hour and a half trying to talk some sense into his sister, but instead of discouraging her, everything he had said so far only seemed to make being a vampire appear more attractive.

  “Dammit, Sofie, why do you want this? You’re young. You’re beautiful. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Why do you want to give up half of it to be a vampire?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ll only be alive at night. From dusk to dawn.”

  She frowned, then shook her head. “I know that’s what all the books say, but they must be wrong. When your friend, Saintcrow, came to the house and saved Mom and Dad, it was in the middle of the afternoon.”

  “Sofie, he’s ancient. It takes centuries to be able to walk in the sun’s light and even then, it’s only possible for a short time. You won’t be able to have kids. Or spend hours tanning in the sun. Or play tennis with Cassie, or do any of the hundred other things you like to do. If you’re determined to be a vampire, at least wait a few years until you’ve done all the things you want to do.”

  “So the books are right, then. That’s why we never see you during the day. Because you’re not like your friend.”

  “Right.”

  “How long has he been a vampire?”

  “I’m not sure, but he was a knight during the Crusades.”

  “The Crusades!” she exclaimed, eyes growing wide. “That’s amazing!”

  “Yeah.”

  Sofia glanced at her arms, which were both smooth and tanned to perfection. “I don’t think I want to wait that long to see the sun again.”

  Micah felt a ray of hope. Maybe he was finally making some headway, after all. “You’ve got to promise me two things.”

  Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What things?”

  “I want your promise that you’ll call me before you do anything that can’t be undone.”

  “What’s the second thing?”

  “If you’re still determined to be a vampire when you’re older, I want to be the one who turns you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because the one who turns you, your sire, will always have power over you. Do you understand what that means? He’ll be able to force you to do whatever he wants.”

  “I didn’t know that. Where’s your sire?”

  “She’s dead.”

  “Did you kill her?”

  “No.” But, given the chance, he would have done so gladly. “Do I have your promise?”

  She sighed, then nodded.

  “Do you mean it?”

  “Pinky swear.”

  Micah laughed softly as they locked their little fingers together the way they had when she was a little girl, and then he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “I love you, Sofie. Any time you need to talk about this, just let me know.”

  He rested his forehead against hers. If his sister was determined to become a vampire, he wanted to be the one to teach her how to hunt, how to protect herself. How to survive. He just hoped it never came to that.

  * * *

  Holly and Micah returned to Morgan Creek the following night. As soon as they arrived, Saintcrow and Kadie knocked at the door. Holly shook her head, still amazed that the couple had sensed their presence the minute they arrived. What would it be like, to have that kind of power?

  Kadie hugged Holly. “Welcome home! I’m so glad you decided to stay here.”

  “For a while, anyway,” Holly said, smiling. “Come on in.” She glanced past Kadie to where Saintcrow waited on the porch.

  He lifted one brow expectantly.

  “You, too,” Holly said, stifling the urge to giggle.

  Muttering his thanks, Saintcrow followed Kadie into the house. “So, how long are you staying this time?” he asked when they were all seated in the living room.

  “I’m not sure,” Micah said. “Does it matter?”

  “Not to me.”

  “How would you feel about rebuilding the bridge?” Micah asked. “Holly wants to look for a job in the next town, but there’s no way for her to get there with the bridge out.”

  “I’ll order the materials we need tomorrow afternoon. Shouldn’t take more than a week or two for the lumber to be delivered, a couple of days to build.” Saintcrow looked at Holly. “That suit you?”

  “That’s very kind of you.”

  Saintcrow grunted softly. “Right. Just call me Mr. Kindness.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Sofia smiled at Jack as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. They were at his place, just the two of them. It wasn’t much, just a little three-room rental behind another house, but it was a place for them to be alone. She wanted to tell him about Micah in the worst way, but she had been sworn to secrecy. She could understand that. After all, there were a lot of people who were afraid of vampires, not to mention hunters and fanatics who would try to kill him if they could. She was certain Micah could defend himself. After all, vampires were strong and powerful and supernatural. The way she wanted to be.

  But she had promised Micah she would wait. And sometimes, since talking to him, she wasn’t certain that she still wanted to be a vampire. Mainly because of the blood thing. Next time she talked to Micah, she was going to ask him more about that. Considering her aversion to the mere sight of blood, it seemed odd she had never given that part of being a vampire much thought until now.

  “What’s wrong?” Jack asked.

  “Nothing. Why?”

  “You’re awfully quiet. Did you have a fight with your old man or something?”

  “No.”

  “Do you want to go dancing at the club? Cash said he’d be there tonight.”

  Cash was Jack’s best friend. He owned a tavern on the other side of town. Sofia was a little afraid of him, though she would never admit it. There was something off about Cash, about the way he looked at her, even when she was with Jack. As though he was just biding his time. For what, she didn’t know. Sometimes she had the unshakeable feeling that Jack and Cash were talking about her even when nothing was being said.

  “Can’t we just stay in tonight?” she asked. “It’s nice, just the two of us for a change.”

  “Sure, if that’s what you want.” Drawing her closer, he ran his tongue along the length of her neck. “You smell really good.”

  “New perfume. I went shopping yesterday.” She recoiled when she felt his teeth at her throat. “What are you doing?”

  “Just taking a little nibble.”

  “Well, stop it.” Feeling suddenly uneasy, she forced a smile.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  “No. I was just thinking, maybe we should go dancing.”

  Jack grinned as he stood and pulled her to her feet. “I knew you’d see things my way.”

  * * *

  Sofia frowned as they entered the club. Usually, the place was packed on a Saturday night, with couples jammed together on the small dance floor, the music so loud you could hardly hear yourself think. Tonight, the jukebox was silent, the tables and booths empty.

  A shiver skated down her spine. “Where is everyone?”

  “We’re having a private party tonight,” Jack said. “Just you, me, and Cash.”

  With a shake of her head, Sofia backed toward the entrance. “I don’t think so.” She turned, intending to leave, only to find Cash blocking her path. She stared up at him. He was tall and broad and solid as a brick wall.

  “You weren’t going to leave, were you?” Grabbing her arm, he dragged her farther into the room. “That wouldn’t be polite.”

  “Let me go!” She tried to twist out of his grasp, but he only tightened his hold, causing her to cry out as his fingers bit into her flesh. “What . . . what are you doing . . . ?” Her eyes widened when he smiled at her.

  Terror shot through Sofia. She had seen fake fangs b
efore. Lots of people who came here wore them. His weren’t fake.

  “Jack told me you wanted to be a vampire,” Cash said, pulling her toward the door behind the bar.

  “Not like this!” She sent a frantic look at Jack. “Help me!”

  “I can’t,” he said, his voice subdued. “He’s my master. I have to obey.”

  “Master?” Sofia blinked at him.

  “Surely you’ve seen the movie Dracula,” Cash said. “Jack isn’t a vampire. He’s my Renfield.”

  Fear settled in the pit of her stomach like a lead weight as Cash opened the door.

  She knew what lay behind it—rooms where drugs were sold, among other things. “Are you going to turn me?”

  His smile grew wider.

  “No!” She screamed the word as Cash pushed her into a small dark cubicle, then stood in the doorway, his bulk blocking the entrance.

  “I was going to drain you,” he remarked. “But if you please me when I return, you can be my number-two man.”

  Sofia shook her head as panic engulfed her. Be like Jack, a slave to a monster? That was a fate worse than death.

  She screamed again when he wrestled her down on a narrow cot and strapped her arms to the bed frame. “Got a hot date, babe,” he said with a wink. “But I’ll be back for you soon.”

  She sobbed when he walked away, felt a cold chill run down her spine when he closed and locked the door behind him.

  Tugging against her bonds, she screamed Micah’s name, screamed until her throat was raw, for help she knew would never come.

  * * *

  Restless as a caged tiger, Micah prowled the streets of Morgan Creek. Holly was asleep. Saintcrow and Kadie had decided to go off somewhere for a few days—where, he didn’t know. Saintcrow had promised to be back by the time the lumber for the bridge arrived.

  Micah slowed, surprised to find himself standing outside the cemetery. Passing through the gate, he made his way to Shirley’s grave. Standing there, his head bowed, he felt a shiver of unease, frowned when a pale, shadowy figure seemed to rise up from the earth. “Shirley?”

  It hovered near him, its mouth moving. No sound emerged, but he heard the words in his mind. She’s in danger!

  A moment later, he heard Sofia’s hoarse cry, sobbing, pleading for help.

  There was no time to wake Holly and tell her he was leaving, no time to explain. Not with Sofia’s life in the balance. Certain that Holly would understand his need for haste when she learned the details, he opened the blood bond between himself and Sofia and followed the link.

  * * *

  Micah followed the connection to a goth tavern on the outskirts of town. He paused outside the entrance, his senses alert. All was quiet inside, save for the muffled sound of his sister’s tears. Unless he was mistaken, there was no one else in the place.

  He tried the door. It was locked.

  Going around to the back, he broke a window and climbed over the sill. Had this been a residence, he wouldn’t have been able to enter. But no one lived here.

  He waited a moment before padding silently down a dark corridor. He passed two doors before he came to the room he wanted.

  This door was locked, too.

  He heard Sofia cry out in alarm when he kicked it open. “Sofie, it’s me.”

  “Micah!”

  An instant later, he was at her side, freeing her from the restraints, gathering her into his arms.

  Taking her home.

  She sobbed the whole way. Not that he could blame her. She’d had a helluva scare.

  When they reached home, he carried her around the back and into the kitchen.

  After turning on the small light over the sink, he sat her on the counter. “Did he . . . ?” His gaze moved to her throat. There were no telltale marks. “Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head.

  “You’re safe now.” Opening a drawer, he pulled out a dish towel, wet it, and wiped the tears from her face. “Shh, stop your crying. Tell me what happened.”

  “I . . . I was out with . . . with Jack. . . .” Stammering, crying, she told him what had happened. “Oh, Micah, I was so afraid!”

  “I know.” He had felt her fear, her panic, as if it had been his own. He stroked her back, dried the fresh tears from her cheeks. “Come on, I’m going to put you to bed.”

  “No! Don’t leave me!”

  “I’m going to wake Dad and tell him what happened.”

  Her eyes widened. “Do you have to?”

  “Cash can’t enter the house uninvited, but Jack can. If he tries, Dad’s shotgun will make short work of him.” Their old man knew his way around guns. The Ravenwood patriarch loved to hunt and he was a crack shot. “Come on.”

  Cradling Sofia in his arms as if she were a baby, he carried her up the stairs to her bedroom, turned on the light, then set her on her feet. “Get ready for bed. I’ll get Mom to come and tuck you in.”

  Sofia grabbed his hand. “Thank you for coming after me.”

  He ruffled her hair. “So, little sister, do you still want to be a vampire?”

  “No!” She shook her head vigorously. “Not anymore.”

  * * *

  After waking his parents and explaining what had happened, Micah went hunting for Jack and his master. It was easy enough to track them. Their scents had been all over Sofia. All he had to do was follow their stink.

  He found the pair bending over a young policewoman, Jack watching, wide-eyed, while Cash held her down, his fangs buried in her throat. The scent of fear and blood hung heavy in the air.

  Micah broke Jack’s neck, ripped the heart from the vampire’s chest, before they even knew he was there.

  For a moment, Micah feared the woman was dead, but then, detecting the faint beating of her heart, he scooped her into his arms and transported her to the nearest hospital. Depositing her on a gurney in the hallway, he shouted for help, then left as quickly as he’d arrived.

  Returning to the bodies, he tossed Jack into a Dumpster, then carried the vampire to an open field where the morning sun would dispose of his remains.

  Micah stood there for several minutes, feeling the rush of power flowing through his veins. He was stronger, faster, than he’d ever been before. And he owed it all to Saintcrow.

  Congratulating himself on a job well done, he dusted off his hands, then returned to Morgan Creek.

  A thought took him to Holly’s bedroom. He had expected to find her asleep; instead, she was sitting up in bed, her expression tumultuous.

  “Where have you been?” she asked.

  “How did you know I was gone?”

  “I . . . I don’t know. I just woke up and I knew you weren’t in the house. So where were you?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  She patted the bed. “Then you’d better sit down while you tell it.”

  “I was down by the cemetery when . . .” He shook his head. “You won’t believe this, but I saw Shirley’s ghost. She tried to talk to me, but I couldn’t hear her. And then I heard her voice in my mind saying, ‘She’s in danger,’ and then I heard Sofia’s voice calling for help. I’d taken a little of her blood the last time we were there, and I followed the link to a goth club. I found her locked up in a room, tied to a bed.”

  Holly’s eyes grew wide. “Is she all right?”

  “She is now.”

  “But who took her? And why?”

  “That guy she liked, Jack, took her to the club. Turns out he was a slave to a vampire. . . .”

  “Was?”

  “They won’t be bothering any other young girls. They’re both dead.”

  Holly tried to feel sorry for the young man who’d been in the vampire’s power, but all she felt was relief that he wouldn’t be putting any other people in danger. “Does Sofia still want to be a vampire?”

  “No. After what happened with Braga and now this incident tonight, I think she finally realizes the reality isn’t as romantic as the fantasy. What about you, Holly?” His gaze searched
hers. “Is the reality of it going to scare you away, too?”

  “I’m still here, aren’t I?”

  Nodding, he stretched out beside her and drew her into his arms. She was here, he thought, but for how long?

  * * *

  The next few days passed peacefully. Micah called home several times to check on Sofia. His mother said Sofia seemed to be holding up well, despite the fright she’d suffered. She had discarded all her black clothing and makeup, his mother went on, relief evident in her voice, and she was again dressing like any other normal young woman her age.

  “Just one thing bothers me,” Lena remarked. “She’s only left the house twice since it happened, and she was home long before dark both times.”

  “Can you blame her, Ma?” he asked.

  “No, of course not. I just worry about her. She’s never been afraid of the dark before.”

  She had never been betrayed by a guy she thought she cared for, or kidnapped by a vampire, either, Micah thought, though he didn’t say so. “Sofie’s had a bad scare, but she’s tough. She’ll get over it,” he said. “Just give her some time to put it behind her. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Micah disconnected the call. One good thing had come out of all this, he mused as he slipped his phone into the pocket of his jeans. His secret was out in the open, and his relationship with his family was stronger than ever.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Saintcrow and Kadie returned to Morgan Creek two days later. Saintcrow picked up the lumber for the bridge the next morning, and they all met down by the ravine at sundown.

  Holly and Kadie sat on lawn chairs, watching as their men hauled away the remains of the old bridge.

  Holly shook her head in amazement. It would have taken mortal men several days—maybe a week or more—to dispose of the debris from the ruined bridge. Working with preternatural speed and strength, Saintcrow and Micah accomplished it in less than an hour.

  Holly glanced at Kadie. “Has Saintcrow ever built anything like this before?”

  Kadie nodded. “Once, during the Crusades.”

  “Does it ever just blow your mind, how old he is? I can hardly comprehend it.”

  “I know. Me, either. Imagine all the things he’s done and seen. The places he’s been. The women he’s known.” Kadie sighed. “I try not to think about that too much. And Rylan rarely talks about his past.”