Dark of the Moon

by Amanda Ashley

  She had been just as sure that she wouldn’t, until last night. Now, finding herself living in a town that might be inhabited by vampires, home didn’t sound so bad.

  She almost jumped out of her skin when the doorbell rang. Was she about to open the door to the biggest mistake of her life?

  Taking a last glance in the mirror over the mantel, she smoothed her hand over her hair then went to answer the door. “Hi.”

  “Hey.” He heard the tension in her voice, saw the apprehension she couldn’t hide in her eyes. “I’ll understand if you’ve changed your mind.”

  “What? Oh, no, it’s just … I guess I’m a little nervous.”

  “Can’t say as I blame you.”

  Her gaze moved over him, making him wonder what she was looking for, what she saw. “Sara?”

  “You just look so normal,” she murmured with a shake of her head. “And yet … not.”

  Travis knew what she meant. Vampires were subtly different from humans. Their hair tended to be thicker, their skin a little paler, their movements more fluid, they were lighter on their feet. Plus they all carried a hint of otherworldly power, although not every mortal picked up on it. Obviously, Sara did. He didn’t miss the fact that whatever supernatural power prevented vampires from crossing the threshold into her house uninvited was back in full force. He could feel it now, repelling him like an invisible shield.

  He shifted from one foot to the other, waiting for her make up her mind.

  After what seemed like forever, she stepped back and said, “Come on in.”

  “Thank you.” There was a familiar ripple in the air as he stepped inside, closed the door, and followed her into the living room.

  Sara took a place on the sofa and gestured for him to take the chair opposite.

  She didn’t want him too close, he thought, as he sat down. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a lot to take in. I mean, it’s like the world I knew is gone and everything is possible. If there are vampires, why not zombies? Or aliens from outer space? I guess I’m just having trouble absorbing it all.”

  “I know how you feel.”

  “Probably better than I do.” Her fingers worried the hem of her sweater. “So, it was the vampire that Overstreet interviewed who … who made you? Is that the right term?”

  Travis nodded. “Ronan. I wish to hell I’d never heard of him.”

  “Is it awful, being what you are?”

  “It’s not all bad. Just most of it.”

  “What’s the good part?”

  “Vampires never get sick. They don’t age. If you’re thirty when you’re turned, you’ll always look thirty. They can think themselves wherever they want to go in the blink of an eye, although I haven’t mastered that yet. They’re incredibly strong and fast.”

  She noticed he said they and not we, as if he hadn’t yet fully accepted what he was. “But you can’t be outside during the day?”

  “No. And I can’t enjoy a good steak or a bottle of beer. I can’t visit my family or my old friends. I can’t father a child.”

  “Have you …?” She bit down on her lower lip. “Carl’s article said Ronan had killed ‘a few hundred people, maybe more.’”

  “I haven’t been a vampire long to kill a hundred people,” he said dryly. “But no, I haven’t killed anyone yet.” He didn’t tell her how hard it was to stop feeding before it was too late, how many times he had been tempted to glut himself. Or how badly he wanted to drink from her again.

  “Did you come to Susandale because of the other vampires?”

  “Yes and no. I don’t know any of them. I haven’t even met any of them. But I heard this town was a kind of haven for … for their kind and I was looking for a safe place to stay until I figured out how to live with what I’ve become.”

  “Aren’t new vampires supposed to stay with the one who made them? Seems I read that in a book somewhere.”

  “Yeah, well, that didn’t happen in my case. There was no love lost between me and my sire.”

  Love, she thought. Were vampires even capable of it?

  “Is there any chance we can still be friends?”

  Friends? She stared at him. They had only known each other a short time, but the few nights they had shared had been wonderful. She had felt the attraction between them and hoped it might lead to a lasting relationship. Of course, that had been before she learned that he had been keeping a dreadful secret from her. Not that she could blame him for that. “What does ‘being your friend’ entail, exactly?”

  “You know. Hanging out. Going to the movies.” He shrugged. “Pretty much what we’ve been doing.”

  The memory of his kisses rose in her mind. But, of course, there’d be no more of that, she thought sadly. Because no one had ever kissed her the way he did or made her toes curl with the sheer pleasure of being in his arms. If only he wasn’t a vampire, he would be the perfect guy. “We can give it a try, if you want.”

  “I won’t hurt you, Sara. I swear it on my mother’s life.”

  She nodded, hoping it was a promise he could keep. “Carl said he thought I’d be safe, here in town. That the other vampires wouldn’t hurt me because they don’t hunt where they live. Is that true?”

  “From what I know, I’d say he’s probably right.”

  “So, what would you like to do tonight?”

  His gaze moved to her lips, to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of her throat. “Anything you want to do is fine with me.”

  “We could go to a late movie. They’re showing the newest superhero flick over in Langston.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Just let me get a jacket. Oh! My car’s in the shop for another week.”

  “That’s okay,” he said, glad that he had decided to drive over. “We can take mine.”

  Travis tried not to stare at Sara as he drove to the theater, tried not to notice how tense she was. Not that he could blame her for being on edge. She had a lot to be nervous about.

  He parked in the lot next to the theater. It was late and there was no line. Travis paid for the tickets. Sara bought a candy bar at the concession stand.

  It was late on a week day night and the crowd was light. They found two seats in the middle section just as the lights went down.

  Travis stared at the screen, acutely aware of the woman beside him. The scent of her skin, the fragrance of the soap she had used earlier in the day, the whisper of the blood flowing through her veins, the rapid beat of her heart. She refused to look at him, but he sensed that she was as aware of him as he was of her.

  The movie started after numerous trailers. Gradually, she relaxed enough to nibble on the candy bar. He took heart when her arm brushed his and she didn’t pull away. Maybe there was hope for them, after all.

  It was after midnight when they left the theater. They talked about the movie on the way home—a nice safe topic of conversation. They both agreed it wasn’t as good as the first one, but then, sequels were rarely as good as the original. His favorite superhero was Batman. Hers was Thor.

  “What is it with women and Hemsworth?” he asked as he turned onto her street.

  “He’s gorgeous, for one thing,” she said with a dreamy smile. “And sexy with a capital S.”

  Travis grunted. “If you say so.”

  Pulling up in front of her house, he shut off the engine, then got out of the car to open her door. Side by side, they walked up the stairs to the front porch. He stood behind her while she unlocked the door.

  “Thanks for this evening,” he said.

  She smiled at him over her shoulder. “I had a good time.”

  “Would it be okay if I called you tomorrow night?”

  Sara nodded. Vampire or not, she enjoyed being with him. “Good night, Travis.” She stepped across the threshold, only to be stayed by his voice.

  “Sara?”

  She turned and looked up at him, felt her heart skip a beat.

  “Would it be all right if I kisse
d you good night?”

  “Is that what friends do?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night.”

  It was what she wanted, too. She had felt him watching her during the movie, had hoped he might kiss her, even though she knew she shouldn’t. But since he’d asked … She nodded, her eyelids fluttering down as he crossed the threshold to cover her mouth with his.

  It was little more than the brush of his lips and yet it unleashed a longing deep within her. When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers.

  Sara blinked against the tears welling in her eyes. She could feel his loneliness, his need to be held, and her heart ached for him. Wanting to help, she put her arms around him, gasped when he wrapped her in his embrace. He held her tightly, as if he was afraid he might lose himself if he let go.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, taking a step back. “I didn’t mean to …”

  “It’s all right.”

  He cupped her cheek in his palm, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t read. “Good night, sweet Sara.”

  “Good night.” She watched him walk down the path and get in the Mustang. When he drove away, she let the tears come—tears for what he had lost, for what they might have shared if he had never hunted a monster named Ronan.

  Sara was about to shut the door when she noticed several men and women strolling along the sidewalk across the street. It was a sight so unexpected she couldn’t help staring. It was the first time she had seen any of the men in town. She recognized Olivia by her red hair as she passed under a streetlight. The man beside her was tall, with short, dark hair. And likely one of the vampires.

  Sara backed away from the door when he looked in her direction. She felt his gaze burning into her. Oh, lordy, she thought, the last thing she wanted was to draw his attention, or that of any of the others.

  Pressing a hand to her heart, she closed the door, and slid the dead-bolt home. Did the vampires come out every night after she had gone to bed?

  It seemed that everyone else in Susandale, save Overstreet, was a vampire or linked to one. Unless she was mistaken, she was the only person in town who had come here not knowing what she was getting into. And now that she knew? If she was smart, she would pack up and leave town just as fast as she could. And yet … she was reluctant to leave Travis. He was so alone. If she left, he’d have no one. Well, Overstreet would still be here, but for how long?

  It was too late to make a decision now, she thought as she smothered a yawn. She’d worry about it in the morning.

  After brushing her teeth, she went to bed, only to lay there in the dark staring up at the ceiling. Feeling a little foolish, slipped out of bed and turned on the light in the hall before padding into the kitchen and the living room, turning on the lights as she went.

  Returning to her room, she left the door open just enough for the light in the hallway to keep the darkness at bay.

  Chapter 11

  Olivia tugged on her husband’s hand as they passed Sara’s house. “Do you think she knows about you and the others?”

  “Have you said anything?” Jason asked.

  “No, of course not!”

  “The kids?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “It doesn’t matter. She’s no danger to any of us. I’m more worried about that fledgling who rented the house on Third and Main. He’s made no contact with any of us.”

  “Have you tried to talk to him?” she asked curiously.

  “No, but he seems okay. I’m more interested in that stranger in town.”

  “Why? He seems harmless. Winona said he hasn’t done or said anything the least bit suspicious. She said he seems friendly with Sara. Maybe he’s here to see her.”

  “Maybe.”

  “But you don’t think so?”

  “Did Winona get his name?” Jason asked as they returned home.

  “Not that I recall.” Standing in the entryway, Olivia sighed as he drew her into his arms.

  “I need to go out for a while,” he said. “I won’t be long.”

  She nodded. “Be careful.”

  “As always. Tomorrow, I want you to go back to Winona’s and see if you can find out anything else about this new guy. And then I want you to go to Sara’s shop and see if you can learn anything else about him, like what he’s doing here.” He ran his tongue along the side of her neck, then kissed her, long and deep. “Will you do that for me, darlin’?”

  “You know I will.” How could she not? She loved him with every fiber of her being. When her children were a little older and better able to care for themselves, she intended to ask Jason to turn her so they could be together forever.

  Chapter 12

  “Olivia, good morning,” Sara said cheerfully. “What can I do for you today?”

  “I just came by to thank you for helping Debbie and Luke pick out my birthday present. I love the bubble bath.”

  “I was happy to do it. They’re great kids.”

  “Thank you. I think so. I was wondering, do you have any gardenia-scented hand lotion?”

  Sara nodded. “Right over here.”

  Olivia followed her to a shelf on the far side of the room. Jars of face powder and tubes of hand lotion were interspersed with silk plants in a pretty display.

  “I think you’ll like this one,” Sara said. Taking a sample bottle from the shelf, she poured a little in Oliva’s hand. “It’s my favorite.”

  “I was talking to Winona the other day,” Olivia remarked, rubbing the lotion between her palms. “She said you eat in the café. quite often.”

  “I do,” Sara admitted as she replaced the bottle. “I hate cooking for one. Actually, I hate cooking, period. And the food in the café is pretty good.”

  “She also said you’ve been meeting a male friend there. Is it serious?”

  Sara frowned. Was she talking about Overstreet?

  “I’m sorry,” Olivia said quickly. “I shouldn’t pry. I mean, I don’t know you well enough to … I should go,” she exclaimed, and hurried toward the exit.

  “Olivia, wait!”

  Olivia paused at the door.

  “It’s not a secret. I met Mr. Overstreet in Winona’s quite by accident. But I do enjoy his company, since he’s the only friend I have in town.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, Olivia ventured a smile. “I hope we can be friends.”

  “I’d like that. Do you still want the hand cream?”

  “Yes, it smells wonderful. And I’m really sorry for prying into something that’s none of my business.”

  “Don’t give it another thought.” Sara rang up the lotion and placed it in a bag, then added a gardenia sachet. “Have a great day.”

  “Thanks. You, too.” At the door, Olivia turned and waved before stepping out on the sidewalk.

  Sara stared after her. Why had Olivia asked about Carl? Was everyone in town speculating about the two of them?

  Sara mentioned her conversation with Olivia to Travis when he came over that night. “Does it seem odd to you?”

  Travis shrugged. “It’s a small town. Maybe she’s just curious,” he said, his expression thoughtful. “Or maybe someone asked her to find out who he is.”

  “Someone like who? Her husband?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “I saw them out walking last night after you went home. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many people outside. It seemed odd, somehow. Do you think they all come out late at night?” Like bats, she thought. Or vampires.

  “The night belongs to my kind,” he said dryly. “Did you see Overstreet today?”

  “No.” She frowned. “Do you think he left town?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Maybe you should go look for him? He might be in trouble.”

  Travis grunted softly. If there was any trouble around, Overstreet was sure to be hip-deep in it. “All right. I’ll go have a look. But I’d rather stay here with you.”

  “I’ll
still be here when you get back,” she said with a wink.

  Outside, Travis glanced up and down the street. All was quiet. No whisper of wind stirred the trees. He turned right and started walking. Most of the houses had lights showing behind closed curtains. He detected vampires inside all but one. Farther down the street, a man and woman sat out on the porch. The man tensed when he saw Travis, and then he nodded as he recognized a fellow vampire.

  Travis nodded back, then turned right at the corner.

  He found Overstreet’s old Dodge truck parked four blocks away, in the lot behind the hospital. The cab was empty. There were no other cars in the lot.

  Opening his preternatural powers, Travis followed Overstreet’s scent into the hospital. He found the writer in one of the private rooms, sitting on a hospital bed, pillows propped behind his back as he scribbled in a notebook.

  He looked up, startled, when Travis stepped into the room. “Dammit, man, you scared the crap out of me.”

  “Sorry.” Travis glanced around., noting the empty potato chip bag and three cans of diet soda on the tray table. Several crumpled notebook pages were scattered on the floor. “Looks like you’re making yourself at home.”

  Overstreet shrugged. “There’s no one else here. No doctors, nurses, patients. Nobody.”

  “Why not stay at the hotel? It’s probably more comfortable than this.”

  “Probably. But this isn’t costing me anything.”

  Travis pushed an old newspaper off of the hard, plastic chair next to the bed and sat down. “Do you think you’re safe here?”

  The journalist lifted a corner of the sheet, revealing a sharp wooden stake.

  Travis snorted derisively. “You think that one little stick is gonna protect you from a whole town?”

  “I doubt if the hotel would be any safer. Besides, no one’s bothered me so far.”

  “That’s because they don’t know who you are. Yet. Or what you’re doing here.”

  “And you know?”

  “I can guess.”

  Overstreet arched one bushy brow.

  “There’s got to be a story involved,” Travis remarked. “I’m just not sure what your angle is.”