by Judith Post
“Your writing’s not ordinary. You’ve just chosen a different venue this time.”
He turned to look at her and his eyes roamed to the deep V of her sweater and lingered there. “Good comeback.” His voice sounded hoarse.
She looked at the dark kitchen. “No Danny?”
“He’s partying with Maggie. The best protection is infiltration.”
She straightened and scanned the room. "No suitcases. You must pack light."
"About that—" He sounded nervous. The words spilled out. He told her about Caleb's promise and about the generals coming to Three Rivers. "The generals will protect humans. That leaves me free to keep Vlad away from you. But only if you're okay with that, if you want to stay here. If you still want to run, we'll go."
What was with this guy? Was he for real? He kept giving her choices, options when he could do whatever the hell he wanted. "Vlad will come for me wherever we go."
"I know that, but where would you feel safer? Name it, and we'll go there."
Nowhere was safe. Not unless she ran and hid. And that was only safe until some vampire spotted her. "We can't leave here. You can't. Caleb was right when he said Vlad would take Danny. He'd have one of his followers drain him and drop his body off for you. He enjoys things like that."
“But it's a bigger risk staying here, for you anyway."
"Why? What difference does it make? One way or another, Vlad will try to take me."
"I'll be more distracted here. If we were some place out in the open, all alone…"
"Vlad would carry people to you. He has rules here, limitations. He doesn't any place else."
Enoch thought that through.
She decided to level with him. "I wouldn't respect you if you left your friends, even to save my skin. The playing field's changed. Vlad's found your vulnerabilities. I won't go. I'm safer with you than on my own, and you don't have a choice any more. You can't leave here."
"But…"
She sighed and walked to look out the balcony doors. "Do you think he's here yet?" There was no point in complaining about the hand they'd been dealt. She'd learned that a long time ago. Better to look at the reality and get on with it.
"I'd guess he'll send rogues first to see how well they do. If they fail, he'll come himself."
She considered that. "Then let's send him an invitation. We can walk the city. You'll be with me, so you can destroy whoever comes for me and let Vlad know we're ready for him."
"I'm not sure about that."
He was nervous as hell, the man who couldn't be hurt wanted to hole up and hide. Well, she'd done that long enough because she had no power, nothing to defend herself with. But now, she had Enoch. Let Vlad come for her. Let him send as many idiots as he wanted to. Enoch would take out all of them. Or as many as he could.
"Use me as bait," she told him. "But let's make it fun. If I don't survive this, I want to have a good time before I go up in flames."
"It's not flames," he started, but she waved him off.
"My dear angel," she said, bending to press a kiss on his forehead, "can you or can't you show me a good time?" The words sounded good. How long had it been since she dared think them? A new sensation danced in her veins, something almost forgotten, and she realized it was hope.
Enoch pushed himself to his feet. She watched him put on his happy face. It was forced, she could tell. But he was determined to give it a try. "Get dressed and we'll go out to eat.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean to a restaurant?”
“Your pick. Put your contacts in and we'll get out of here for a while, see if anyone follows us.”
She looked down at her outfit. “Nothing fancy. This is all I have to wear.” This and one other top and her jacket.
"That's it? Your whole wardrobe? I thought Marie would give you a few more clothes than that."
Her voice went brittle. Habit. Too many years of being on her own. "I only take charity when I have to." Marie would have liked to give her more, but Voronika wouldn't take them.
He understood. "This is even better. We'll go shopping. We'll be in and out of stores. If a rogue's out there, he'll notice you. What do you want? We’ll buy it.”
She was feeling frisky. She said the first thing that came to mind. “Something couture.”
“Okay.” He saved his work on the computer and started for the door.
She stared. “I can't. I don't shop. I don't know how to. People give me things.”
“I can picture you in cobalt blue. You'd look ravishing." He shook his head. "Hell, you'd look ravishing in anything." His eyes roamed her body.
“Will the stores be open?"
"Are you kidding? In December, when they want people to blow their Christmas savings? It's already dark outside." He glanced at his watch. "At six. We have until dawn tomorrow. Maybe we'll shop, then eat, then go dancing.”
"Dancing?"
He grinned. "I thought that would throw you. Come on. It's time to prove I can show a girl a good time." He was the brave one now. He dragged her to store after store.
He loved watching her try on clothes. He loved listening to her ooh and aah over accessories. By the time they left the mall, each of them was buried under shopping bags.
Voronika looked at the mounds of packages on the back seat. "I've never had so many things in my life. I don't even need them all."
"That's the point. Sometimes, it's nice to have things you don't need. Now get changed. We're going out to eat."
He waited while she stripped out of her jeans and sweater in the front seat of his Land Rover. He had to clamp both hands on the steering wheel. "Hurry up and put something on, or I won't be responsible for what happens.”
She looked at her navy, wool dress, matching tights and suede heels. “Thank you. I haven’t had this much fun since—I don’t remember.”
“It’s been a long time for me too.” He swallowed hard. "The last time I went on a shopping spree was with Grace."
"Someone you lost?"
"My wife, a mortal. She died."
Voronika didn't know what to say. She didn't think angels suffered, but she was wrong.
He broke the silence. “Where to? What are you hungry for?”
She gave him a look and he regretted his choice of words, but she took mercy on him and hurried to say, “Some place out of town. I don't want the evening to end yet."
“There's a restaurant on Winona Lake, about an hour from here. Do you like water? They serve sushi, and I know how you love raw things."
She smirked. He was starting to feel a little frisky too. They made small talk on their drive north. Too much small talk. She should have picked a closer restaurant. After so much fun, the ride's lull let Voronika's mind turn to Vlad—what he was up to, what he was doing. She suspected Enoch was feeling the same, so they chattered. When Enoch parked in the restaurant lot, his shoulders relaxed. He loosened his grip on the steering wheel, and Voronika knew her suspicions were right. He was as nervous as she was. "Well, what do you think?" He motioned to the building's exterior.
"Impressive."
"Just wait till you get inside." He led her into a gleaming foyer, and she was impressed even more. Settled in a booth, the food was delicious. So was the wine, and the companionship, priceless.
On their ride home, Voronika let out a big sigh. “I haven't felt this mellow in decades." She stretched, and her hand grazed his shoulder. When he tensed, she let it rest there. "Thank you. This felt like a date. I haven't thought of myself as a woman for a long time. I only see myself as a vampire.”
"All I can do is think of you as a woman. You’re the best of both, as far as I’m concerned.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “You have a way of making me feel good about myself.”
“That’s all I see.”
A small, strangled noise escaped her. Enoch reached for her hand to give it a gentle squeeze—a touch for comfort, friendship. “You had lots of choices, and you always took the high road. I can�
�t tell you how much I admire you.”
His words seduced her. Kindness was like an aphrodisiac after all these years. She slid her hand, still resting on his shoulder, to the back of his neck and began to stroke it. He was so solid, so strong.
He cleared his throat and nodded to the narrow road. "No street lights. Even with my brights on, it's hard to see."
That word again. Hard. Her hand moved lower. "Yes, it is." Her grip tightened. They were taking a small, back road home. There was no traffic and lots of open fields. She unzipped his pants and slid her hand beneath the fabric. “Let's do it. Now.”
"Here? In the Land Rover?"
"It has tinted windows, doesn't it?" She began unbuttoning her dress.
Enoch pulled to the side of the road and shut off the engine.
Clothes peeled off and were shoved out of the way. Soon he was running his hands over her body. They cupped her breasts, caressed her skin, teased her thighs.
"I've never met anyone so beautiful."
A shudder ran through her body. She clutched shoulders. She felt clumsy, needy. She meant to go slow, to savor the moment, but there was no chance of that when his breath felt hot on her flesh and fire seared through her veins. She pulled him on top of her, thrusting her hips to meet his. Her nails dug into his buttocks, and he tried to pull away, to kiss and touch, but her right hand lowered. She grabbed him and guided him into her. And then everything exploded. Her breath caught and couldn't release. She moaned and wanted, moved and demanded. All she could think about was his meeting her needs.
When they finished, both of them were exhausted, covered with sweat. “Not bad,” she said, stroking his cheek. She could hear his heart pump. She could smell his spent passion. “What a night! Better than dancing. I could get used to this.”
He tried to sound calm. “I’m not sure I’d survive it. I was trying to be gentle.”
“No need. Just keep up with me.”
“I’ll remember that.” They were pulling on clothes when someone knocked on his window.
“Busted,” she teased. “Caught making out.”
He rolled down the tinted glass and stared into the gaping mouth, fangs extended, of a ravenous vampire.
“If you two are through, I’d like a turn.” The twenty-ish man gave a humorless laugh. “But Vlad would kill me. Time’s up, buddy. Hand her over.”
Shock pooled in Voronika's stomach. She fought back panic. This was what she wanted, wasn't it? To be bait?
Enoch raised an eyebrow. “There are rules that apply here. You can’t come in unless you’re invited.”
The vampire hissed. “What are you, some kind of textbook expert on the subject?”
“Just an expert.”
A shrewd look crossed the vampire’s face. “Really? Why don’t you come out here and we can talk about it?”
The vamp tried to hide a smirk as Enoch calmly rolled up the Land Rover’s window. “The glass is tinted,” he reminded her, “but don't take a chance. If you get on the floor, you’ll be safe if I can't control the Light. The keys are in the ignition. You know the ropes. They can’t reach in the car unless you invite them.”
She shook her head, worried. “What do you mean 'control the Light?'"
"I can aim it or flood an entire area. If this guy has friends and they circle me, I'll have to flood everything around me. You won't be safe."
"Why go out there?" Voronika knew Vlad. She knew he fought dirty. "The rogue won’t be alone. You know that.”
“That's the whole point of our night—to flush out some vamps and destroy them. I’m hoping they jump me. All of them. It’s faster that way.” He reached for the door handle. “My Light's like sunlight. It goes through glass, but not solids. Get down and stay low until it fades. I'm throwing it everywhere.”
She did as she was told. She'd seen him spear the night sky with it. “How much Light can you summon?”
“More than I need, but I try to contain it. I don't want it to reach peoples' houses, to blast through their windows.” He stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind him. No one was in view. He only walked a few steps before a vampire jumped out of a tree. A second dropped from another limb, and two more sprang from nearby bushes. Several more came, but Voronika couldn't tell where they'd been hiding. They bit and grabbed, clawed and pulled. A fang ripped through his coat and sank into his back. A hand snagged his ankle and tried to pull him down. If they could, they’d draw and quarter him. Voronika had seen them do that before.
When Enoch was sure they were all there, he reached down and hauled the ankle grabber into the air. He tensed his muscles and Voronika ducked down on the floor. A huge flash of white hot beams shot in all directions. Screams filled the air. When all was quiet, Voronika peeked above the dashboard. Small mounds of dust surrounded him. Ashes sifted through his fingers. The stench made Voronika cover her mouth and nose.
Enoch narrowed his eyes and looked carefully at his leather coat. “Damn.” There were puncture marks everywhere. He walked to the Land Rover and opened the door. “It’s done,” he told her.
She looked at him, uneasy. "Can anything kill you?"
“No.”
He was like an avenging angel—frightening. He settled behind the steering wheel and reached for her. "Are you okay?"
She pulled back. “You killed them all—just like that. That fast.”
“They were young. Hot-heads. Impetuous. Older vampires are smarter, trickier. Harder to kill.”
She looked out her side window. "I didn't expect to be scared, but I didn't know how many Vlad would send, and I wasn't sure how the Light worked."
Enoch reached for her across the seat and this time, she let him pull her close. “I’d understand if you changed your mind and wanted to get out of here to hide. I didn’t expect them so soon. This could be a long ordeal, and there are no guarantees.”
She pressed herself against him. “I know.” But, Lord, if he couldn't save her, who could?
“And you still want to stay?” he asked.
“Yes.” And not just to fight. She'd never met anyone with so much power who worked so hard not to abuse it, to only use it for good. To her, that was the ultimate pinnacle of goodness. And after centuries of Vlad, integrity turned her on. She nuzzled her head under his chin. The man was a real looker. He had money to burn. And he was great in bed. What was the down side? Not one damned thing that she could think of.
Chapter 35
Maggie woke and smiled. Danny's arm cradled her shoulder, and it felt good. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. Nine. She'd had a nice, low key get-together with her friends last night. Danny had fit in as if he'd been a part of their little group for years. All during the party, she'd kept glancing at him; and each time, he was looking at her too. When the last person left, he helped her toss the paper plates and gather the dirty serving dishes. He rinsed while she filled the dishwasher. It felt so natural. So right. And then he'd fallen asleep on her couch, and she'd gone to bed with Felix and Cleo.
Somewhere in the middle of the night, she woke alone. Both cats were gone. They never left her. Felix took one side, and Cleo took the other. Was everything all right? Had they heard something and gone to investigate? Maggie reached for the baseball bat her brother had stashed under her bed. "Just in case," he'd told her. She held it against her shoulder, ready to swing, as she left the bedroom. She tiptoed down the hall, turned into the living room, and saw an orange ball of fur cradled around the top of Danny's head. A long, black fur ball stretched across his hip. The traitors!
She tiptoed closer and couldn't help smiling. Felix didn't like anyone, not even her brother who always tried to pet him and always got snubbed. Cleo opened one yellow eye, saw her, and shut it again. Well, how about that? Maggie didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. She was turning to tiptoe back to her room when Danny must have sensed her standing there and jerked awake. The cats jumped and ran behind her legs. Sure, now she was good enough for them.
Danny
glanced at her baseball bat and sat up suddenly. "Did you hear something? Is he here?"
"Oh, sorry." She lowered the bat. "I came looking for my cats. They usually sleep with me, but they deserted me for you. You might not think so, but that's a rare honor. Felix never likes anyone, but somehow you've won him over."
Danny glanced at the orange and black cats. "They can tell I'm a farm boy. I grew up with cats."
She didn't think that was the whole story, but if it made him happy, why not? She glanced toward the kitchen. "I could use a cup of tea. Want one?"
They ended up in the kitchen, talking about their childhoods and jobs over tea and ice cream. At first, Danny joined in the small talk to be nice, she could tell, because he thought she was too nervous to sleep. He did his best to keep her distracted, but the conversation came easy and just kept flowing. Before she knew it, a couple of hours had passed, and when they went to rinse their mugs and bowls, they bumped against each other at the sink. His touch felt good, so she laid a hand on his arm. He turned, and that led to a kiss. That felt better. The kiss turned greedy, and that led to the bedroom. And now, here he was, lying next to her. And that felt wonderful.
She didn't want to wake him, so she gently slid out of bed. She was in the kitchen, in her robe, mixing a batter of pancakes when someone knocked at her back door. She peeked out to see who was there. Rusty stood there, his glasses askew, not even wearing a jacket or coat.
She threw the door open. "What is it?"
"Olive fell. Her hip hurts. She can't get up. You're a nurse. What should I do?"
"Call an ambulance."
His hands started shaking. She grabbed his shoulder and hurried to his house. She flipped open her cell phone on the way and dialed for help. "Not an emergency, but a fall. Maybe a broken hip."
When she reached Olive, she knelt beside her. "The EMS is on its way. Are you okay?"
Olive grimaced. "My hip hurts."
"I can't move you until the paramedics look at you. I'll stay with you until they get here." She didn't know how long that would take, so she dialed her home phone. Danny picked up on the third ring. "I'm at my neighbor's house." She explained what happened. "I'm going to follow them to the hospital. I don't want Rusty to be alone."