There’s no such thing as werewolves. She dismissed the idea with a laugh. But then again, up until a couple of days ago, she hadn’t believed in vampires either. Now, she wasn’t sure about anything. Gathering her light cardigan to her chest, she hurried towards the car but found that she was making little progress. The wind increased in intensity, pushing her backward and bringing along with it the smell of rot and decay. Anna covered her nose and mouth with her hand and fought the urge to vomit as the sickeningly sweet smell assaulted her senses. It smelled of death. An overwhelming sensation of danger hit her like a ton of bricks. She had noticed that same rotting smell on the night of the ill-fated dinner, the night that she met Derrick’s strange friends. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. She began to hyperventilate. Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the cool night air. A branch cracked beside her and despite fearing what she would find, she slowly turned her head in the direction of the sound. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath as she gazed into what she could only describe as the eyes of evil. Terror froze her to the spot. She couldn’t move another step although the safety of the car was only feet away and when she recognized the voice, she knew she was in real trouble.
“So nice to see you again, Anna my dear.”
Unable to move her feet, Anna watched as the vampire moved casually towards her. His movements seemed unreal, like he was floating inches above the ground.
“Thanks. N-nice to see you too.” Instinct told her not to aggravate him. No sudden movements. Keep your cool Anna.
“I was hoping for the opportunity to see you again. How fortunate for me to find you here … alone.”
“I-I’m not alone. Derrick has just popped into the house for a moment. He’ll back soon.”
“Tisk, tisk. Anna.” Torke waived his gnarled finger in the air, the yellowing nail pointed threateningly as he pursed his lips into a pout and shook his head. “We both know that is not the truth.”
“What do you want from me?” Anna somehow forced her feet to move, backing slowly towards her car as Torke shortened the gap between them. His movements were painfully slow, as if he was savoring every moment it took to reach her, enjoying the fear in her expression.
“As I said, little one. I want to talk with you … only to talk.”
“Well, talk.” Anna felt her back connect with the car door. Torke moved close enough that Anna could smell his foul breath. She turned her head to the side and winced. “You’re standing too close. Please respect my personal space. Step back.”
“I’m sorry my dear.” His chuckle was almost as hideous as his grin. “I’m sure Derrick must have told you that you have an intoxicating fragrance.” He sniffed the air around her face. “Excuse my bad manners. I was under your enchantment.”
Anna doubted the pretty words. She had felt the hate emanating from him on the night that they first met. He knew Derrick was away. She was his intended victim. But why? What could she possibly have done to piss him off? She called his bluff.
“We both know you’re lying. Whatever I have done to offend you … I’m sorry.”
“Do you doubt your attraction, Anna? Didn’t your mother tell you how special you are?”
Now he had her attention. Big time. “What do you know about my mother?”
“Your mother and I had a long-term relationship.” Once again an evil grin twisted the corners of his mouth. “It was such a pity that she had to die. A real waste of a beautiful and talented young woman. She betrayed me, Anna, and in doing so, she sealed your fate.”
Any lingering fear subsided, pushed down by anger. Anna’s words spat out with venom.
“My mother would never have had anything to do with you. She was a beautiful, faithful wife and mother. She had a perfect life. Why would she risk that for someone as loathsome as you?”
“Oh, dear. You do not believe me to be an attractive man. You have hurt my feelings.”
It amazed Anna how fast Torke’s expression turned malevolent although his words remained calm and deliberate. His brow furrowed and his eyes glowed … red?
“You should be very careful what you say to me child. I have been known to be a very unforgiving man.”
“You don’t frighten me.” Anna hid her shaking hands behind her back. Pain pierced her temples. “Tell me how you knew my mother. Tell me the truth.”
“You are your mother’s daughter.” Torke told her with a chuckle as he paced in front of Anna. While he spoke, he clicked his nails together menacingly. The sound assaulted her ears, turned her stomach.
The pain in her head increased. Pain that began when she first sensed Torke’s presence. Flashes of color burst through the darkness, threatening to envelop her. She knew that she was on the verge of passing out.
“I can feel the power humming in you like electricity. Can’t you feel it, Anna? Don’t you know why I am here? Ah, judging by your confused expression, I assume she did not tell you about me.”
“My mother died when I was a child.”
“Everyone dies at some point.” He shrugged his shoulders. There wasn’t an ounce of remorse in his expression. “But Elena, she brought her death on herself. It didn’t have to be that way.”
“What way?” Anna could feet the cold metal of the car at her back, the handle was within her reach, her fingers brushed the door, searching, but she couldn’t risk taking her eyes of Torke. His shoulders hunched forward, his body coiled in anticipation. A snake, ready to strike her down at the sign of any movement.
“She forced my hand. I had no choice but to kill her. She could have chosen to be with me.” He leaned towards her. “I’m feeling generous tonight, Anna. I’ve decided to give you a choice. You are either for me or against me.”
“If being for you is what I think you are insinuating … you can count me out.”
“It would be wise if you didn’t try to offend me little one. I have no tolerance for disobedience and you are beginning to try my patience.”
“Well then, I’ll just leave you alone.”
Anna spun around and made a grab for the handle. Torke seized her wrist. Immediately, he withdrew his hand. His skin smoking, his palm scorched. Indentations from the crystal bracelet marked his skin and tiny sparks of fire danced on his arm. He winced in pain, extinguishing the flames with his other hand, giving Anna the opportunity to jump into the driver’s seat and lock the door behind her.
Torke leaned forward, resting his rotting forehead on the glass of the driver’s side window. Anna imagined a protective shield around the car and forced herself to look away from his hypnotic eyes as her trembling hands struggled to fit the key into the ignition. She turned the engine and thrust the gear stick into first, gunning the accelerator. The car screamed to life. She sped through the open gates of the property, the sound of grinding metal assaulted her ears as he lunged for the car with his talons but she ignored the excruciating sound, concentrating on getting as far away as possible in the shortest amount of time. Only when Torke disappeared in a cloud of dust, did she feel safe to ease off the gas. She glanced up at the rearview mirror and gasped, her right foot hit the brake petal and she skidded to a halt.
In the mirror, she could see her mother running to a car parked near a burning building. Her mother was crying as she drove away. Anna could sense the fear and desperation that her mother was experiencing as she drove at breakneck speed down the mountain towards their home. Something followed her, something in the darkness that caused her to turn her head at regular intervals and look back towards the burning building. Anna could see a darkness reaching out and surrounding the car. She could hear her mother scream as she lost control of the car and it careered over the cliff, flipping and bouncing before finally landing on its roof. Then she heard a sound that would haunt her dreams. The sinister laugh of the man who materialized beside the car. He looked inside at the woman who was lying motionless and trapped upside down by her seatbelt, and smiled with satisfaction before disappearing into thin air. Anna’s blood ran cold when
she recognized the man. Torke. The vision ended in a flash of light but the fear remained. Tears streamed down Anna’s cheeks as she realized that her mother had been forced off the road. She had been murdered by this … this monster.
Composing herself enough to drive, she headed home but as she neared town, the car radio suddenly switched on, crackled, and to her horror, a familiar voice interrupted the news broadcast. “You have made your choice Anna. Unfortunately, you won’t live to regret it.”
****
Anna wondered how she had managed to make it home in one piece. Several times she had almost run off the road as she stared at the rearview mirror, looking for signs to indicate Torke followed. She wished she had a cross or holy water or whatever the hell someone would use against a vampire. Because, there was no doubt in her mind … Torke was a vampire. A blood sucking nightmare that had not only killed her mother, but, for some reason, wanted her dead too.
After locking all the doors and bolting the windows, Anna strung garlic around the door frames and—just in case—poured salt on the floor. She had seen that done in a movie once.
Was that for vampires or demons? It didn’t matter … it was worth a try. During the long wait for dawn, Anna contemplated Torke’s reason for knowing her mother, his need to talk with her about their relationship. The thought of her sweet, beautiful Mama having that hideous monster as a lover made her skin crawl. Oh, God! She couldn’t be his daughter could she? No. It wasn’t possible! There was no way her Mama would betray her father. Elena doted on her husband and child. Their open display of affection for each other was a constant in Anna’s life. No, it must be something else.
When the first rays of sunlight beamed through the curtains, Anna felt it was safe to pour herself a drink. Many times during the night, she had been desperate to grab the scotch bottle but worried she would be intoxicated and easily overpowered if attacked. Now, the malt liquid’s call was too strong and even though she should be getting ready for her meeting with Susie, an Irish coffee for her breakfast seemed like an excellent idea.
Chapter Ten
Anna joined Susie at her table in the café and shrugged when her friend observed, “You look like something the cat dragged in.”
“Thanks. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She motioned to the waitress for a coffee and as she took off her dark sunglasses she noticed Susie sniff the air.
“I don’t mean to stick my nose in your business Anna, but isn’t it a little early in the day to be drinking?”
Anna covered her mouth with her hand. “Is it that obvious?”
Susie nodded. “Rough night?” she offered a breath mint which Anna gratefully accepted.
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“Go on. Spill. Who’s the guy?”
“A disgusting, leathery, hideously scarred man.”
Susie’s eyebrows raised in horror. Her mouth dropped open into an O shape.
“No, no, no. Nothing like that.” Anna couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s expression. An expression that soon changed when she added, “He was a stalker.”
“Oh, Anna, how awful! Did you call the police?”
Anna shook her head and sighed. “I have a feeling they couldn’t help me.” How could she explain her situation to the police? Even Susie would think her insane if she mentioned that her stalker was an ancient vampire.
“Of course they could help. Call them, Anna, or I will.”
Anna reached forward and touched her friend’s hand. “I appreciate your concern Susie but really … they couldn’t help. I don’t know where he lives or even his last name.”
“Where did you see him?”
“I met him at Derrick’s house a few days ago and again last night.” She shivered at the very thought of him.
“Did you tell Derrick?”
She shook her head. “He’s away on business.”
“No.” Susie took a sip of her coffee. “He’s back. Frank told me this morning.”
“When did he get in?”
“Around three in the morning. Frank said he looked agitated. Said he’d never seen him look so angry. I bet he’ll kick that guy’s arse if you tell him what happened.”
The waitress brought Anna’s coffee and set in down on the table. Anna waited for her to leave before asking.
“Why?”
“Why would he kick his arse?”
“No, you dork. Why was he so angry?”
“He didn’t say. Mind you, you know Frank … a man of few words. How was your massage by the way? Great hands huh?”
Anna almost chocked on her mouthful of coffee, spitting some in Susie’s direction and dribbling more down her chin. Heat rose to her cheeks and, as she coughed, she noticed Susie’s inquisitive expression.
“What is it you’re not telling me?”
“I … I never ended up getting that massage from Frank.”
“How disappointing.”
“Oh, it was anything but disappointing.” Anna rolled her eyes and tried unsuccessfully to stop the grin that crept across her face as curiosity furrowed Susie’s brows. “And I did get a massage, just not from Frank.”
Susie leaned forward, biting her bottom lip and almost bouncing off her seat with enthusiasm. “Tell me, tell me.”
“Let’s just say … Derrick has hidden talents.”
“Oh my god Anna … did you—”
“No.” Anna shook her head vehemently.
“Did you want to?”
Anna’s blush was answer enough to answer Susie’s question.
“Then why the hell not?” She slapped Anna’s hand.
“He ran away.”
“Oh. That’s a bummer.” Susie sat back in her seat. “What are you going to do about it?”
“What can I do? He obviously isn’t attracted to me.”
“Let me tell you something…” Susie glanced around the room and leaned closer. “In all the years I’ve worked here, I’ve never seen Derrick even date. You are the first woman he’s shown any interest in.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Anna.” She smacked the back of Anna’s hand again, harder this time. “If you want the man, go get him. I’m telling you, he’s yours for the taking.”
“He ran away, Susie.”
“So … run after him. Sometimes a man needs a little push. Big babies, every one of them.”
“Really? Do you really think I should make a play for him?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“How good was that massage?”
Anna lowered her head and bit her bottom lip. Lifting her chin, she smiled sheepishly. “Oh, it was spectacular.”
Susie raised her mug. “Then you’d better make a move before someone else grabs him.”
****
Derrick’s punch hit David’s chin with an intensity that would have knocked out a human but David only stumbled back a few feet. He rubbed his jaw and shook his head as he pointed out, “That one’s for free, the next will cost you.”
“Why didn’t you do something?”
“I would have, had I been here Derrick.”
Derrick paced the lounge room floor, clenching and unclenching his fists. “I asked you to look out for her while I was away. How could you let this happen?”
“I didn’t expect her to come here. Not after being told you were away.”
Derrick felt physically ill for the first time in centuries. “He could have killed her, David!”
“I know, Derrick, and I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but nothing happened.”
“Aaah!” Derrick screamed in frustration before he picked up a kitchen stool and hurled it at the glass cabinet smashing two glass panels and damaging the wooden doors.
“Lucky I put the cabinet maker on retainer.” David shook his head, but his joke went over like a lead balloon. Derrick spun around to accuse his brother.
“We let her down, just like we did with Isabelle.”
�
�Enough, Derrick!” David barked in retaliation.
Derrick’s head snapped up in surprise as David finished. “Isabelle was a grown woman with a mind of her own.”
“But we could have told her what we knew about Nigel and maybe—”
“I did tell her.”
“I don’t understand?”
David sighed and took a deep breath before confessing, “Before the wedding, I caught Nigel coming out of a brothel with a prostitute. He was stinking drunk and made no attempt to conceal himself from me. I felt it my duty to tell Isabelle. She was understandingly upset and wanted to go to him and confront him so I went with her and waited outside the room in case things got ugly. When she came out, she was convinced that it was all a misunderstanding and that marriage would change him for the better. There was nothing I could say to convince her otherwise. You know how strong minded she was.”
Derrick nodded his agreement. There were many similarities between Isabelle and Anna. He made his way to the couch where he sat silently as David continued his story.
“So, the marriage went ahead but I continued to follow Nigel and monitor his squandering of our family’s money. I was forced to halve Isabelle’s allowance so Nigel wouldn’t spend it at the tavern and, instead of paying the money into their account—which I knew was in Nigel’s name—I paid for the upkeep of the estate and grocery bills. I had hoped that this would force Nigel to find a job and start supporting his family but it only infuriated him. He began to associate with undesirables … gamblers, criminals and other low-lives who taught him how to scam and steal. He developed a fast temper and got into bar fights, usually coming home drunk and taking his frustration out on Isabelle.”
“You knew about the beatings?” Derrick couldn’t believe his brother could allow this to happen. “How could you not—”
David shook his head. “The first time it happened, I was already in Paris. The letter from Isabelle arrived not long after I arrived in France. She said that he had only hit her once, but he had apologized immediately and she hoped it wouldn’t happen again but I didn’t believe it. I wrote and told her to leave him.”
Kiss of Death (Blood Brothers Book 1) Page 12