Twilight Dreams

by Amanda Ashley

  “Her brother, I’m guessing. They were both butt-ugly.”

  “He’ll come back, won’t he?”

  Micah shrugged, torn between the hope that he’d never see Braga again and the overwhelming desire to rip the bastard’s heart from his chest.

  “Well, if he shows up again, we’ll fight him together.”

  “Already spoiling for a fight, are you?” Micah asked, chuckling.

  “Let’s not talk about what happened. Not now.” She looked up at him, a smile teasing her lips. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”

  With a shake of his head, Micah pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “You beat everything, you know that?”

  “I’m still starving,” she reminded him, lifting her face for his kiss.

  “You can’t go out like that,” he muttered. “Put some clothes on and I’ll take you hunting.”

  “I’m not really hungry for food anymore,” Holly murmured, slipping her hands under his shirt, sliding her palms up and down his back.

  “No?” He grinned at her, his dark eyes twinkling with merriment. “I’m not sure I want to bed a hungry fledgling. It could be hazardous to my health.”

  Standing on tiptoe, she ran her tongue across his lower lip, then nipped it hard enough to draw blood. “It might be more hazardous if you don’t.” She wiped the blood away with her fingertips, then licked it off.

  “I’ll take that chance.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Seriously, sunshine, you need to feed before we do anything else. Trust me.”

  * * *

  “What am I going to tell my parents?” Holly glanced at Micah. Earlier, she had showered and dressed, and now they were in a nearby town, searching for prey. It was a bit startling, how quickly she had accepted the idea of feeding on another human being.

  Only she wasn’t really human any longer. She was a vampire. She should have been shocked, alarmed, maybe. Even scared. Yet she was none of those things. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to be able to see and hear everything around her—and beyond—with such crystal clarity.

  “No need to tell your folks anything if you don’t want to,” he said.

  “But they’ll know something’s wrong eventually. I mean, how many excuses can I make for missing family get-togethers that aren’t held at night, and . . .” She laughed softly. “Look who I’m asking. You’ve been doing it for years. Did it ever get easier?”

  “Not really. But you’ll be surprised how inventive you can be when you have to.” He jerked his head toward a man walking ahead of them, alone. “No sense worrying about it now. I’ve spotted our prey. Are you ready?”

  With some trepidation, she said, “I guess so.” But she couldn’t help feeling a little apprehensive. Accepting her new preternatural vision and hearing abilities was one thing. But could she really drink some stranger’s blood? “What do I do?”

  “I’ll show you. Nothing to it.”

  She watched as Micah mesmerized the young man, then bit him lightly, just enough to draw blood.

  The rich, coppery scent of it flooded Holly’s senses and quickened her hunger. There was a slight pain as her fangs—her fangs!—ran out, but the pain was forgotten when she got her first taste of human blood. It was warm and salty and more satisfying than anything she had ever known. She might have drained the man dry if Micah hadn’t warned her to stop.

  Micah showed her how to seal the wounds in the man’s neck, then he wiped the memory from the man’s mind, and sent him on his way. “You see?” he said, smiling at her. “Nothing to it.”

  Holly nodded, thinking about the way the vampires fed on one of her favorite TV shows. They always had blood dripping from their mouths and smeared over their faces. Was that how she looked? She had often wondered why they were so untidy.

  “You okay, sunshine?”

  “Is there blood all over my face?”

  “What?”

  She lifted her hands to her cheeks, relieved that there was nothing there.

  “Holly?”

  “I thought it would be repulsive.”

  “Yeah?”

  “But it wasn’t.”

  He looked at her askance.

  “It’s kind of troubling that it wasn’t. That it was so easy.”

  “That’s because you’re trying to look at it from a human point of view. You need to stop thinking like a mortal and let your vampire nature take over.”

  “Is that what you did?”

  “Not at first. I told you about Saintcrow. If not for him, I’d probably be some kind of mindless monster. But that’s not going to happen to you, sunshine.”

  “How can you be so sure I won’t suddenly go off the deep end?”

  “I had Saintcrow to keep me in line.” Drawing her into his arms, he brushed a kiss across her lips. “You’ve got me.”

  “I love you.”

  “I know. So, now that you’ve had dinner, so to speak, what do you say we go home and have our dessert in bed?”

  * * *

  I’m a vampire. It was Holly’s first conscious thought when she awoke the following night.

  Vampire. Creature of the night. Undead. Nosferatu.

  “Daughter of Dracula,” she murmured, and then laughed, because being a vampire was totally amazing, as was making love to Micah. It had been the most incredible experience of her life. He had been warm and tender, as if he’d been afraid of hurting her. And that had been fine, the first time. But the second time . . . she blushed at the memory. What had started in bed had ended in a tangle of arms and legs and blankets on the floor.

  She bolted upright when the doorbell rang, then laughed self-consciously. It was only Saintcrow and Kadie come to call.

  Holly frowned. How had she known that? Their scents, of course. Plus, she easily detected the slow, barely audible beating of vampire hearts.

  Slipping out of bed, she quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt; then, feeling suddenly shy at facing them as a new vampire, she paused.

  In the living room, she heard Micah open the door and invite their guests inside.

  Taking a deep breath, Holly walked down the narrow hallway into the living room.

  A wry grin crossed Saintcrow’s face when he saw her. “I guess we won’t have to finish that bridge now.”

  Muttering, “Be nice,” Kadie punched her husband on the arm, then hurried forward and clasped Holly’s hands. “You look wonderful! Welcome to our world, fledgling.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m so glad you’re one of us now!”

  “Me, too,” Holly said, and meant it. She frowned as Micah, Kadie, and Saintcrow exchanged sly glances. “What’s going on?”

  “We were thinking we should go out and celebrate this awesome, once-in-a-lifetime occasion,” Saintcrow said. “Dancing,” he added with a flash of his fangs. “Dining.”

  “Maybe Holly isn’t ready to dine with us,” Kadie said, glancing at Holly. “And maybe she’d like to be alone with Micah.”

  “They’ve got eternity to be alone,” Saintcrow said, dismissing Kadie’s objection with a wave of his hand. “How about it, Holly? Are you ready to go hunting with the pros?”

  “We don’t have to go if you’d rather not,” Micah assured her.

  “I am a little hungry,” Holly admitted. “So I’m game if you are.”

  “It’s game we’re after,” Saintcrow said, with a wolfish grin. “Let’s go!”

  “Um, if you don’t mind,” Holly said, gesturing at her jeans. “I think I’d like to change into something more appropriate for a night on the town.”

  * * *

  Holly’s head was still reeling when they arrived at the destination Saintcrow had chosen as their hunting ground. Vampire or not, she mused, hurtling through time and space took some getting used to.

  Luigi’s turned out to be an intimate nightclub in Boston’s Little Italy, located in the North End. The tables were covered with fine damask, matching cloth napkins, crystal vases filled with
fresh flowers, and gleaming china and silverware. A three-piece band provided music for dancing.

  Saintcrow guided them to a curved booth along the back wall, where he perused a drink menu, then ordered a bottle of wine.

  Holly almost choked when she saw the price. “Two thousand dollars!” she exclaimed. “For a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon?”

  “It’s good stuff,” Saintcrow said with a shrug. “Besides, we’re celebrating your transformation, remember? Now, look around. Do you see anything that appeals to you?”

  “Anything?” Holly repeated, emphasizing the last half of the word.

  “My mistake,” Saintcrow said dryly. “Anyone?”

  Holly glanced around the room, her nostrils filling with the mingled scents of perfume and cologne, perspiration, and the myriad aromas of food and drink. But it was the smell of blood that overwhelmed her senses. Surprisingly, it didn’t all smell the same.

  Leaning close to her, Micah whispered, “Different types. They all taste and smell just a little different. You know what they say. Variety is the spice of life.”

  “I like him,” she decided, gesturing at a tall, blond young man seated with three other men at a table across the room.

  Saintcrow nodded. “Good choice, fledgling. One for each of us.”

  The bottle of Cabernet was empty by the time the four men rose to leave.

  Saintcrow paid the bill—in cash—and they left the club.

  The four men stood outside near the curb, laughing and talking as they waited for the valet to bring their car around.

  Holly watched, fascinated, as Saintcrow approached their intended prey. He spoke a word and, as one, the four men turned and followed him down the street and into a parking lot behind a large hotel.

  The rest was all too easy.

  * * *

  That night, at home in bed, Holly burrowed deeper into Micah’s arms. It had been fun hunting with Micah and Kadie and Saintcrow, she thought, and then grimaced, thinking “fun” was probably a poor choice of words. Still, she hadn’t really hurt the young man she had chosen; she had taken less than he would have given if he’d been donating to the Red Cross.

  “Happy?” Micah asked.

  “Oh, yes.”

  “No regrets, sunshine?”

  “That’s a silly question!” Exerting her newfound strength, she flipped him onto his back and straddled his hips. “Do I look unhappy?”

  “Do you remember what you said?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You said if we were going to stay together, you wanted to get married.”

  “Oh, that. Of course I remember.”

  “So, are we? Going to stay together, I mean? Or have you changed your mind?”

  “Of course not.” Her gaze searched his. “Have you?”

  “No, but . . .”

  “But?”

  “Well, now that my family knows what I am, I was wondering . . .”

  “If we could invite your family to the wedding.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Will they be able to tell that I’m . . .”

  “A vampire now? No.”

  Holly frowned at him. “Why are we finishing each other’s sentences?”

  “I don’t know,” Micah said, laughing. “It’s kind of neat, though, don’t you think?”

  “I think it’s kinda creepy.”

  “I’m sure it’s partly because I’m your sire and partly because I’ve got Saintcrow’s blood in me. It makes the link between us stronger. So, about the wedding? Are you sure you don’t want to tell my folks the truth?” he asked. “I mean, they’re sure to guess when you sleep all day and don’t eat anything. On the other hand, it might be best if we keep it a secret. If Sofia sees how happy you are, she might start rethinking her decision.”

  “If I’m happy, it’s because of you, you idiot, not because I’m one of the walking dead.”

  “Speaking of the walking dead, we’ve got to invite Saintcrow and Kadie.”

  “Of course. And considering the size of your family, it would probably be easier to have the ceremony in your hometown.”

  Micah grinned. “My mother and sisters would love that.”

  “Well, maybe you should call them tomorrow and let them know we’re getting married. They might not be as thrilled as you think.”

  “Are you kidding? My parents both love you already.”

  Holly stroked his cheek. “I love you.”

  “Do you?”

  “Don’t you believe me?”

  “Actions speak louder than words.” Pulling her down on top of him, he murmured, “Show me, sunshine. Show me how much.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Sated and spent, Holly snuggled against Micah. Why had she waited so long to let him make love to her? Being in his arms, touching him, knowing he was hers, was the most wonderful thing in the whole world. Soon, she would be his wife, and how awesome would that be?

  “Awesome?” As usual, he was eavesdropping on her thoughts.

  “It’s a good thing I never think bad thoughts about you, isn’t it?” she muttered. But she wasn’t really mad. She was a vampire now, able to shield her thoughts if she really wanted to.

  “How could you, when I’m so awesome?”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “No, you’re not. I changed my mind.”

  “Too late.” Holding her down with one hand, he tickled her feet.

  “Stop!” She bucked and twisted, but, of course, he was too strong for her.

  “Change it back.”

  “All right, all right, I give up! You’re the most awesome man on the face of the planet.”

  “That’s better.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her, a lazy, we’ve-got-all-the-time-in-the-world kind of kiss that drove everything else from her mind. Everything but the wonder of his touch, the magic of his love.

  * * *

  Holly called her parents while Micah showered. Only her mother was at home. After asking about their vacation, Holly announced her engagement. Her mom was more than a little surprised to learn Holly was getting married as soon as possible to a man she had known such a short time, someone her parents had never met.

  “Is there a reason you’re in such a rush?” her mother asked. “I mean . . .” She cleared her throat. “Are you in trouble, Holly?”

  “No, Mom, nothing like that. You and Dad will come to the wedding, won’t you?”

  “Yes, of course. Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “I’ll let you know. Give my love to Dad. Talk to you soon.”

  With a sigh of relief, Holly tossed her phone aside. She couldn’t help smiling when Micah came out of the bathroom a moment later, a towel wrapped around his lean hips. He was gorgeous. And he was all hers. Forever.

  “How’d it go?” he asked.

  “She thinks I’m pregnant.”

  Micah grunted softly. There was no chance of that.

  He dressed, then called home while Holly went in to shower. As he’d predicted, his mother was thrilled.

  “That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I’ll talk to Father Anthony about setting a date and reserving the church, and . . .” She paused. “Of course, you and Holly should decide where to be married. And her parents should probably make arrangements. . . .”

  “It’s okay, Ma. It’s easier for us to go there for the wedding, than for you and Dad and the rest of the family to come here.” In more ways than one, he thought. Morgan Creek was no place for a family gathering. “Holly’s parents have offered to help, too. So, get in touch with the priest. We’ll be there in a day or two to talk things over.”

  His father was equally happy with the news. Sofia and Rosa were delighted. He had to laugh when Sofia asked if it was safe for him to enter a church, or if he’d go up in smoke.

  He was still laughing when he disconnected the call.

  Holly opened the bathroom door, her brow furrowed. “What’s so funny?”

  “Sofie was afraid I’
d burn up if I went to church.”

  Holly’s eyes widened. “Will we?”

  “No, love.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed the tip of her nose. “All we need to do now is set a date.”

  * * *

  They broke the good news to Saintcrow and Kadie later that night.

  “I’m so happy for you both,” Kadie said. “Holly, you’ll make a beautiful bride.”

  “Thank you. I’m a little nervous about seeing my folks.”

  “Don’t worry. They won’t notice anything. Well, maybe a few things, but they’ll just chalk it up to your being in love.”

  “I hope so.”

  “All right,” Saintcrow said, “My turn.” He put his arm around Micah’s shoulder. “I’ve never had a son, but if I did, I’d like him to be just like you.” Turning to Holly, he gave her a quick hug. “Take care of each other.”

  Holly nodded. “I don’t have any sisters, but, Kadie, I’d love it if you’d be my matron of honor.” Glancing at Micah, she said, “I thought I’d ask your sisters to be my bridesmaids.”

  “They’ll love it,” he said. “Saintcrow, since we’re talking about the wedding, I’d like you to be best man.”

  “I always have been,” he said with a wry grin. “Seriously, I’d be honored.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Just let us know when and where,” Kadie said, “and we’ll be there.”

  * * *

  Three nights later, just after dinner, Holly and Micah arrived at his parents’ home. She was nervous about telling his family that she was now a vampire, but trying to hide the truth, now that they knew about Micah, seemed ridiculous.

  His parents welcomed them with open arms. Luciano opened a bottle of wine and offered a toast.

  “To your health and happiness, my children,” he said, raising his glass. “May you find as much joy in your marriage as Lena and I have found in ours.”

  “Here, here!” Micah said.

  “Have you set a date yet?” Sofia asked.

  “I’d like to make it as soon as possible,” Micah said, squeezing Holly’s hand.

  “I’ll bet you would!” Sofia exclaimed with a knowing grin.

  Feeling herself blush, Holly said, “I’d love for you and Rosa to be my bridesmaids.”

  “Oh!” Sofia squealed. “I was hoping you’d ask.”