by L.H. Cosway
I swallowed tightly and answered, “None of the above. It’s a disguise.”
His lips curved ever so slightly. “You’ll have to come up with a better disguise to hide from me, lumina mea.”
I was about to ask what he just called me, but then he smiled, and it swept the legs out from under me. It was a smile that said he was very happy to see me, and I had to ignore the twinge of guilt because again, I was there under very false pretences.
“How are you here?” Ethan asked as he continued to marvel at me.
“I couldn’t stay away,” I answered, and it was the truth. As soon as Finn had convinced me my secret was safe, I wasn’t sure how long my willpower to stay away would have held.
“I always knew you’d return,” he said, slipping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. Our bodies were flush, and on instinct, I rested my head on his chest as we swayed to the music. His fingers moved back and forth over my lower back. I trembled. Ethan must’ve noticed because he held me tighter against him.
I wasn’t sure how long we stayed like that before someone appeared beside Ethan. She was a tall, slim woman with long, honey blonde hair. Her skin was bronze and flawless, and she was unmistakably a vampire. She put her delicate hand on Ethan’s arm, all the while her eyes remained focused on me.
“Ethan darling, who is this?” Her voice was sweet, but I sensed a sourness behind it.
Ethan’s arms fell away from me as he turned to the woman. “Eliza, this is Tegan. She’s an old friend.”
“Tegan,” Eliza replied, nodding to me. “Forgive my question, but are you a witch? You don’t smell quite … normal.”
Uh oh. Ethan’s eyes met mine as I quickly responded, “No, I’m not a witch.”
“Curious,” she said, her gaze wandering over me shrewdly. “Why don’t you come and join us upstairs?” She smiled, but there was no warmth in it whatsoever.
“Sure,” I said. Ethan held out his arm to me and I linked mine through. I caught a micro-expression of annoyance flicker across Eliza’s features before it was gone. I squeezed Ethan’s arm as we followed her off the dance floor. He glanced down at me and I motioned to Eliza, mouthing the question, Are you two together? He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. Relief filled me, and I realised how jealous I’d be if Ethan had a new vampire girlfriend, especially one as gorgeous as Eliza.
I solicited a number of curious glances when we walked into the VIP section. Vampires eyed me on Ethan’s arm as Eliza led the way. I hadn’t realised how large this section was, but I’d only been up here once before. There was a main area and a long hallway which led to several secluded sections for private groups. We entered one of them, and I spotted Lucas and Delilah immediately.
Lucas sat on a chair with someone on his lap. It took me a moment to realise it was Amanda, and I was surprised that they were still together. Delilah sat next to them, chatting with an older woman with short dark hair. Who drew my attention most was the vampire sitting at the head of the table. His presence seemed to demand attention even though he didn’t look particularly striking. His hair and eyes were the exact same colour as Eliza’s though, and I wondered if they were related.
Lucas spotted me first, and his eyebrows jumped. He whispered something in Amanda’s ear, and her attention fell on me.
“Tegan!” she exclaimed, jumping up from Lucas’s lap. I let go of Ethan’s arm and went to her, pulling her into a hug. When I looked at her properly, something seemed off. Then I noticed the bite marks on her neck and arms, some of the scars older than others. Right away, my expression hardened as I levelled my attention on Lucas. He’d clearly been feeding from her far too often. I was going to murder him.
“You came home,” Amanda breathed.
I stroked some of her hair from her face and wondered just how much she knew about her boyfriend. Lucas could be wiping her memory every time he fed from her. I shot him another murderous look before bringing my attention back to Amanda. She was smiling in a clueless way which led me to suspect he’d been compelling her to forget things.
“Amanda, are you okay?” I asked, despite it being obvious that she definitely wasn’t anywhere near okay.
She continued smiling at me. “Of course, I’m okay. I’ve never felt better.”
I sensed someone’s attention and glanced across the room where Ethan was now sitting with Eliza. She was right up close to him, her arm draped over his. He seemed tense like he wanted to get me out of there. If that were the case, then why did he even bother bringing me up? Could he not say no to Eliza or something?
“Well, who are you?” the vampire at the head of the table questioned. Power oozed out of him, and I couldn’t resist giving him my full attention.
“My name is Tegan,” I replied as his focus homed in on me.
“She’s an old friend of Ethan’s, Father,” Eliza put in, and Ethan seemed to stiffen. So, this vampire was Eliza’s dad? I knew they looked alike.
“And she is familiar with Lucas’s human,” he went on, his cold voice slithering over me.
“Yes,” Ethan said. “Tegan and Amanda are friends.”
“Interesting.” Eliza’s dad rose from his seat and came to stand in front of me. He held out his hand. “Come and sit with me, Tegan. I would like to speak with you.” Then he inhaled a long, deep breath that shook me to my very core. Please, please, please don’t let him recognise my scent. I had a feeling that this vampire was ancient, far older than any I’d encountered before.
I took his hand and reminded myself to quit worrying. My mother’s spell hid what I was. There was no way this vampire could know. He wasn’t magical like Theodore.
He led me back to where he’d been sitting. I took the empty seat beside him, and he studied me a moment.
“My name is Jeremy,” he said, and I did my best not to startle. This was Jeremy Whitfield, the new vampire governor and the very same man who’d taken Rebecca. I hadn’t expected to meet the kidnapper quite so early in my quest.
“It surprises me that we haven’t met before,” Jeremy went on. “Where in the world have you been hiding?”
“I don’t live in Tribane anymore. I’m only back for a short visit.”
My eyes flickered to Ethan and he didn’t seem pleased by this news.
“And when will you be leaving again?” Jeremy asked with interest.
“In a week or two,” I answered.
“So soon,” he tutted. “We will have to do something to remedy that. In fact, I’ve been looking for a new human to bring into my home.”
I glanced at Ethan again in panic, and he immediately spoke up. “I’m afraid that can’t happen, Governor. Tegan belongs to me.” His words were steady and confident, and I’d never been more relieved to be claimed.
Jeremy glanced between the two of us. “Is that so?” There was a hint of displeasure in his voice. Ethan nodded, and Jeremy sniffed. “Very well. I don’t wish to tread where my loyal warrior has already marked his territory.” He stood, and I managed not to jump when he ran a cold finger down my cheek. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Tegan. Hopefully, our paths will cross again before you depart.” He brought his attention to his daughter. “Come, Eliza. It’s time for us to return home. We have much work to do.”
“But, Father, I’d like to stay a little while longer,” Eliza pleaded.
Jeremy didn’t respond, merely stared at her for a prolonged moment before she reluctantly rose and followed him from the table. The majority of the other vampires went with them. Apparently, they all belonged in Jeremy’s entourage. Only a few stragglers remained, including Ethan, Lucas, Delilah, and Amanda. Ethan was at my side the moment Jeremy and his crew left, taking me tightly into his arms. His entire demeanour changed from calm stoicism to desperate need as he pressed his lips to my temple and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.
“Well, that was intense,” I said. “What was all that about him wanting to take me into his home?”
Ethan drew back a little, caressing my c
heek as he soaked me in. “He wanted to make you one of his blood donors. I told him you belonged to me because it’s highly disrespectful for a vampire to take the blood donor of another.”
“But I’m not your blood donor.”
“No, you aren’t, but Jeremy doesn’t know that, and I’d prefer if we kept it that way, for obvious reasons.”
I swallowed tightly. “Okay.”
“So now, for all intents and purposes you are mine,” he said, fierce possession shining in his eyes, and I shivered. “At least, that’s what you’ll say should anyone else try to claim you.” He paused, letting out a heavy sigh. “It’s such pleasure to see you again. You have no idea how much I—"
“What the hell are you doing here, Tegan?” Delilah demanded, cutting him off. Tension rolled off her in waves.
“I’m here to see some friends and visit my dad,” I said before lowering my voice to a whisper. “And I heard that most of the people who were on Theodore’s island that night are dead now, so …”
“So, it’s obviously safe for her to come for a visit,” Ethan finished for me, shooting his sister a harsh look.
Delilah folded her arms, not looking happy in the slightest. “You’re being reckless, Ethan. Don’t you realise how dangerous it is for her to be here right now with the way things are? There’s a war going on for Christ’s sake.”
“I understand the risks,” I said, and her gaze cut to me.
“You have no idea how bereft my brother was after you disappeared—”
“Delilah,” Ethan warned.
“No, this needs to be said. You’ve only just gotten your life back together, and now you’re letting her waltz right back into it without a care for the devastation she left behind.”
My chest gave a swift pang as I glanced at Ethan. He was only now getting his life back together? Exactly how badly had my departure affected him? That familiar guilt squeezed at me, especially since I had an ulterior motive for being here.
Ethan’s arms wrapped tighter around me as he pulled me up. “Don’t listen to her. She’s overreacting. I’m over the moon that you came to see me.”
His fingers interlocked with mine as he led me out of the VIP section, through the main part of the club, down a corridor, and out a side exit. The cold air hit me as we stepped outside. Ethan must’ve noticed because he wrapped his arms around me again as he backed me up against the wall of the building. We were in the alley at the side of the club, and I was suddenly aware that we were all alone.
“You look beautiful,” he breathed, his eyes practically glittering in the dark.
“Thank you.”
“You seem … healthy, more confident.”
“I don’t know about that, but I have been working out.”
“Well,” he smiled softly. “Whatever you’re doing, it’s working.” One of his hands came to rest on my hip. The other trailed along my lower back.
His smile dimmed a little. “Is it true that you’re not back for good?”
I nodded. “I’ll be leaving again in two weeks.”
“Perhaps I could persuade you to reconsider.” His hand dropped lower to rest on my bottom. My stomach fluttered, and I felt a distinct hardness at the front of his pants. My brain was in danger of going on a brief holiday. There was something I needed to say to him, but his closeness scrambled all my thoughts
“Wait,” I said breathlessly, and his hooded gaze met mine. “I said I was home to visit my dad, remember?
“Yes. What about him?”
“I went to his house last night, but he wasn’t there. A woman answered the door and told me he’d sold the house to her a few months ago. He left town and hasn’t been seen since, not to mention his phone has been disconnected. Do you know anything about why he might’ve fled?”
A frown marred his features. “I have no idea. Why are you asking me this?”
I pushed away from him and paced back and forth. “Because my father isn’t the kind of man to just up and leave town without telling anyone where he’s going.”
His expression darkened. “Are you accusing me?”
“What? No, of course not. But if he was running away from vampires, then I was hoping you could help me find out who they are and where he might be now.”
Ethan reached out, gripping my elbow and pulling me back to him. “I’ll help you,” he promised sincerely. “If the cause of your father’s disappearance has anything to do with my people, I will discover it for you. You have my word.”
I peered up at him, filled with a burst of gratitude and suddenly realising how much taller and larger he was than me.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He brushed his thumb over my chin. “Anything for you, lumina mea.”
Something fluttered in my chest. I glanced to the street at the end of the alley, where cars passed by out on the road. “What does that mean?”
A fond look entered his eyes as he caressed my cheek. “It’s Romanian for ‘my light’. I didn’t realise how dark it was the last few months until you walked into the club tonight and lit up the entire room.”
My breath caught. Ethan Cristescu had a serious knack for romance. And now I felt even guiltier for using him.
He let out a long, devastated sigh. “I wish we could spend the night together, but I have work to do inside.”
“That’s okay. I should get going anyway. I just wanted to stop by and let you know I was in town,” I said, stepping away.
“Where are you staying?”
“At a friend’s place. I’ll take a taxi.”
“Why don’t you come and stay with me? I have several spare bedrooms.”
My eyes widened. “Oh … um, no. My friend is excited to have me, and I wouldn’t want to flake on them after only one night.” My pulse pounded. I knew Finn wanted me to get an invite to Ethan’s place, but being his houseguest was a whole other ballgame. I wasn’t ready for that, not by a long shot. Even spending this short amount of time with him tonight had been nerve-wracking and discombobulating. Mainly because when he touched me I turned to mush. “But thank you for the offer,” I finished.
Ethan’s eyes ran over me. “Did you bring a coat?”
“Right, yes, I left it inside. I have a ticket stub here somewhere.”
He lifted his hand. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll get it for you.” With that, he disappeared into the club. I had several moments to wonder how he’d find my coat so easily without the ticket, and the only explanation was that he’d be able to smell my scent on it. I wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about that.
A chill swept over me, and a few seconds later Ethan returned with my coat. “That’s a neat trick,” I said as he helped me into it.
“I’m a man of many talents. Would you meet with me tomorrow night?”
“Sure, why?”
He smiled at me warmly. “I’d like to take you on a date.”
My eyebrows shot up. “A date?”
Ethan chuckled low. “Don’t sound so surprised. I do know how to treat a woman.”
“I’m not surprised, I’m just …” I shook my head. He was being so unexpectedly chivalrous, and it made me light-headed. “Sure, a date sounds, uh, great,” I answered finally. Ethan’s knuckles ran along the front of my coat as he buttoned it for me, his eyes on my mouth.
“Meet me at the Blackfield monument at eight o’clock.”
“I’ll be there.”
He walked me out and hailed me a taxi. I waited until he was well out of earshot before I told the driver to take me to Finn’s address.
6.
When I got back to Finn’s I made myself a cup of tea, sat down, and stared at the mug, my mind reeling. I saw Ethan tonight—beautiful, otherworldly Ethan, who apparently was bereft after my departure. I still didn’t understand how someone like me could have that kind of an effect on him. Reluctant as I was to admit it, it probably had a lot to do with my blood.
With that depressing thought, I took out my phone and texted Fi
nn, letting him know I was back. Then I spent the next few minutes worrying about my dad’s whereabouts before I heard the front door open and close.
“So, how did it go?” Finn asked as he entered the kitchen.
I blew out a breath. “Better than we expected. I met Whitfield.”
Finn’s eyes widened as he pulled up a stool. “Whitfield was there at the club?”
I nodded. “In one of the private booths in the VIP section. I also met his daughter, Eliza. I think she has a bit of a thing for Ethan because she definitely wasn’t pleased about me showing up.”
“Yes, we know about her,” Finn said, his eyes darkening. “She killed a lot of good men in the fights we’ve had recently with the vampires.”
“That must be why she gives me the creeps. Whitfield, too. Exactly how old is he?” I couldn’t stop picturing his cold, honey-coloured eyes in my head.
“According to our records he’s just over six hundred,” Finn replied. “His daughter is almost two hundred.”
“Seriously?” I said, shivering when I remembered how Whitfield wanted to take me as one of his blood donors. I declined to reveal this to Finn, mainly because I was worried he’d try to get me to go along with it. That way I could check out Whitfield’s house and see if Rebecca was there. I wanted to save the girl as much as he did, but if Whitfield managed to drink even a drop of my blood he’d be unstoppable. It wasn’t worth the risk.
“Did you hear them mention anything about Rebecca?” Finn asked.
“No, but I’m meeting with Ethan again tomorrow night. I might be able to get him to talk about her. Perhaps I’ll ask him about the war.”
“Good plan,” Finn nodded, and I stood up.
“I’m going to bed now. I’m exhausted.”
“Sure,” Finn replied, deep in thought. “Sleep well.”
***
In the morning, Finn left early to go help train the recruits at the DOH compound. After I showered and dressed, I prepared to call Nicki again. Just as I was about to hit ‘call’ I heard something scratching at the back door. I went to peer out and found Wolf staring back at me. He let out a yip to encourage me to open the door.