Dark of the Moon

by Amanda Ashley

  For the first time, he noticed the bruise on her cheek, the swelling on the side of her head. Only then did he remember that Bowman had thrown her against the bedroom wall.

  She flinched when he reached out to run his fingers over the bruise. “Does it hurt?”

  “A little. It knocked me out. He was gone when I came to. And you were … I thought you were dead.”

  He nodded. “I guess I am. Technically.” He sat down on the sofa, head bowed, hands dangling between his knees. “Where do I go from here? I’ve got no family. No friends except Travis.” He barked a laugh. “He’ll get a kick out of this.”

  “You can stay here.”

  At the touch of Winona’s hand on his shoulder, he looked up. “You mean it?”

  She shrugged, a faint grin teasing her lips. “Why not? I’ve gotten used to having you around.”

  Chapter 32

  During the next three weeks, Sara fell back into her usual routine. She jogged in the morning, spent her afternoons with her girlfriends. Mondays they played tennis. Tuesdays they relaxed at the spa. They played bridge on Wednesdays, did charity work at the hospital on Thursdays, went to lunch on Fridays.

  Her weekends were spent with Dil.

  The only fly in the ointment was that he was no longer content to be friends. Had he been less of a gentleman it might have caused a problem. But he was a well-bred young man and when she said no, he reluctantly put on the brakes.

  Many nights, lying alone in her bed, Sara wished desperately that she had let Travis make love to her. He was rarely out of her thoughts, never out of her heart. Time and again, she thought of calling him. Probably a good thing she’d lost her phone and couldn’t remember his number, she mused, or she probably would have called him by now. And said what?

  Sometimes, when she was thinking of him, she had the feeling he was nearby, that if she just called his name, he would come to her.

  Late one night she awoke, certain that he had been in her room, that she had felt his fingers in her hair, his lips on hers.

  Now, as she dressed to go out with Dil, she wished it was Travis coming to call, because she had a terrible feeling that Dil was going to propose—and an even worse feeling that if he asked, she would say yes just to get out of the rut she seemed to be in.

  Hands shoved into his pockets, Travis wandered through the town. For the last three weeks, he’d been trying to work up the nerve to knock at Sara’s door, but every time he got close, he chickened out. She lived in a luxurious home he could never afford, drove a baby-blue Corvette. Her friends were all young and beautiful and rich. They wore the latest styles, drove expensive cars. Men and women alike were filled with a kind of innate self-confidence he’d never had. Would never have.

  He had been a fool to think they could have a future together. He had nothing to offer her. Nothing at all. Even if he hadn’t been a vampire, they were worlds apart.

  And still he lingered, just to catch a glimpse of her from time to time, to see her smile, if only from a distance, hear her laughter, the sound of her voice.

  He was a vampire, the most powerful creature on earth, and he was acting like some love-sick teenager. But then, he had never been in love before. And hoped like hell this would be the first time and the last.

  Travis had just decided to take in a movie since he had nothing better to do when his phone rang. He frowned when he looked at the display, then hit Answer. “Overstreet, how’s it going?”

  “Are you sitting down?” Carl asked.

  “No, why?”

  “Our old friend, Bowman, turned me three and a half weeks ago.”

  “Are you shittin’ me?” Try as he might, Travis couldn’t imagine Overstreet as a vampire, but then, he had never imagined himself as one, either.

  “I wish.”

  “Hey, man. I’m sorry.”

  “Split milk, I guess. It’s sure as hell nothing like I thought it would be. Even after all the research I’ve done on the Undead, there’s still a lot I don’t know.”

  “I hear ya. Been there, done that, and I’m still learning. I’d be glad to help you in any way I can. Are you still in Susandale?”

  “Yeah, but I was thinking of leaving here. I was wondering if I might come and hang out with you for a while until I get a handle on things. I’m afraid for Winona. Afraid I’m going to hurt her. Or worse.”

  “I hear ya. I’d be glad for a little company. I’ll text you my address.”

  “Thanks, Travis. I really appreciate it. See you soon.”

  “Nicely done.” Jason said, releasing his choke hold on Winona’s neck. “I trust you won’t call him back and let him know I’m on my way?”

  Overstreet shook his head, his gaze on Winona’s pale face. She looked scared to death, but who could blame her?

  “I’ll know if you do.” Jason tightened his hold again. “And she’ll pay the price.”

  “I believe you!” Overstreet exclaimed. “I won’t say anything, I swear it! Just let her go.”

  “I’m glad we understand each other.” Easing his hold again, Jason said, “You won’t mind if I have a little drink for the road, will you?”

  Hands clenched at his sides, Overstreet shook his head. Winona gasped with pain, hands flailing, as Bowman sank his fangs into her neck.

  Unable to watch, Carl looked away.

  After what seemed like forever but was only a few moments, Bowman lifted his head and licked the blood from his lips. He fixed Overstreet with a last warning look, and then vanished from sight.

  “I’m sorry, love!” Carl said, pulling a trembling Winona into his arms. “Some day I swear I’ll kill him for this.”

  Travis trailed behind Sara and Dilworth as they strolled hand-in-hand through the City Mall. It made his gut clench with jealousy every time Sara laughed at something the man said. He’d told himself he wanted her to go on with her life, to be happy, but it was killing him inside. He told himself he should leave town and try to forget her, but so far, he hadn’t been able to make himself go. He made excuses, saying he was waiting for Overstreet, but the truth was, he just couldn’t bear to leave her.

  It was nine o’clock when they left the mall. He watched them get into Dilworth’s Maserati and drive away before he went in search of prey.

  He fed on a young woman he found waiting alone at a Bus Stop, then, with nothing better to do, he walked the ten miles to his lair.

  He was about a block away when he caught the scent of vampire. But it wasn’t Carl Overstreet. It was Jason Bowman. What the hell! How had Bowman found him?

  Frowning, he dissolved into mist and drifted down the sidewalk. When he reached the house he was renting, he circled it twice. When there was no sign of the other vampire, he resumed his own form. Bowman’s scent was stronger now, proof that he had been there recently.

  Inside, Travis gathered his few belongings, stuffed them in a duffel bag, and went in search of a new lair.

  He found a suitable place to spend the day in a house with a Sold sign out front, figuring the odds of the buyers taking possession the next day were pretty slim.

  Once inside, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Ronan.

  His sire answered on the second ring. “What do you want now?”

  “I’ve got a problem.”

  Ronan snorted. “So, what else is new?”

  “I followed Sara to Vermont.”

  “And that’s my problem because?”

  “That’s not the problem,” Travis said impatiently. “Bowman followed me.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Not as interesting as the phone call I had from Overstreet last night. He told me Bowman turned him.”

  Ronan grunted softly. “The plot thickens.”

  “Yeah. Carl asked if he could come and stay at my place until he got things figured out.”

  “So what do you want me to do?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “How are you and Sara getting along?”

  “We’re
not. She’s dating the guy her dad wants her to marry.”

  “Get rid of him and your second problem is solved.”

  “Yeah,” Travis muttered. “But what am I gonna do about the first one?”

  “Bowman? Take him out.”

  “I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do that on my own.”

  “Are you asking me to come to Vermont and back you up?”

  “Not exactly. I’d just like to know I can count on you if I need you.”

  “Sure, kid.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  A low growl sounded in Travis’ ear before his sire muttered an oath and ended the call.

  Shannah looked up from the magazine she had been reading. “What are you going to do?”

  “Do?” Ronan shrugged. “Nothing right now.”

  She laid the magazine across her lap, her head cocked to one side. “If you wait until Travis actually needs your help, you might get there too late.”

  Ronan shrugged again. “That’s his problem.”

  The magazine in Shannah’s lap slid to the floor when she stood. “Don’t you ever get tired of playing the tough guy?” she asked as she sat down beside her husband, her thigh tight against his.

  “Hey, woman, I’m not playing,” he said sternly, his eyes blazing. “I am a tough guy.”

  “I know you are,” she said with mock horror. “And I’m terrified of the big bad monster. But seriously, Ronan, what are you going to do?”

  “You think I should go now?”

  “You don’t have to tell Travis you’re there. But I’d feel better if you were close by.”

  “I’m beginning to think you’ve got the hots for guy,” he muttered irritably.

  “Oh, baby, you’ve gotta be kidding! He’s just a boy.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him deeply. “I gave up boys a long time ago. I like men.”

  A low rumble of laughter emerged from Ronan’s throat as he slid off the sofa and onto the floor, carrying her with him so that she landed on top of him, chest to chest and thigh to thigh. His hand slid into the heavy fall of her hair, drawing her head down. “Show me,” he whispered, his voice husky with desire as his other hand glided suggestively up and down her back. “Show me how much you like men.”

  “Not men,” she corrected, nipping his lower lip. “Just one man.”

  “Show me,” he said for the third time.

  “My pleasure.” Straddling his hips, she teased and tormented him until he was on fire for her. “More?” she purred.

  “I’ll take all you’ve got, darlin’.”

  “And then we’ll go to Vermont?”

  “Anywhere the hell you want.” He growled low in his throat as her hands caressed him. “Just finish what you started.”

  Chapter 33

  Sara woke with a start. Sitting up, she turned on the bedside lamp, her gaze darting nervously around the room. She had been dreaming of Travis, reveling in the touch of his hands, the pleasure of his kisses, the way he said her name, almost like a prayer. He had needed her in a way no one else ever had and although she didn’t understand it, she had found his need extremely sexy until, suddenly, he didn’t want her any more because she was human and puny and he was strong and immortal. His words of rejection had brought tears to her eyes until she was sobbing because she wasn’t good enough for him. And then, abruptly, something had awakened her. An unshakeable feeling that she was being watched.

  Throwing back the covers, Sara went to close the curtains, only to let out a soft shriek when she saw a figure in the window. She laughed out loud when she realized it was only her reflection in the glass.

  After quickly closing the curtains, she let out a long sigh of relief. She’d been having trouble sleeping for the last week or so. Trouble concentrating on what was going on around her. Lost in her own thoughts, she kept reliving the time she had spent with Travis, daydreaming about the future they would never have, missing him more with every passing day.

  She was tired of endless parties. Tired of pretending she was having a good time, that she was interested in the latest gossip. Tired of pretending to be thrilled when one friend got engaged and another got married and a third had her first baby. She was bored out of her mind. Bored with living back home. Bored with her friends. Bored with Dil.

  Hard as it was to believe, she missed the excitement of being with Travis, of living on the edge of danger, which made her wonder if there was something wrong with her. She had been terrified when Jarick kidnapped her, knew she could have been killed.

  Surely there must be some happy medium between being utterly bored and moments away from a hideous death!

  Padding across the floor, she slid into bed.

  Just before she drifted off, she thought she heard Travis’ voice whispering her name.

  A phone call from Dil woke Sara the next morning. She glanced, bleary-eyed, at the clock, wondering what was so urgent that he’d called before nine. “Hello?”

  “What are you doing, sugarplum?” he asked.

  “I was sleeping,” she said, yawning. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m parked out front. I thought we’d go for an early breakfast.”

  “Now?”

  “Come on, sleepy head. It’s a beautiful day.”

  “Oh, all right. Knock on the back door and ask Lucy to give you a cup of coffee. I’ll be down in twenty minutes.”

  Throwing back the covers, Sara went into the bathroom. After a quick shower, she brushed her teeth, tied her hair back into a ponytail, then pulled on a pair of white shorts and a red tank top, stepped into a pair of sandals, and hurried downstairs.

  Dil was waiting for her in the kitchen. “Gee, hon, you didn’t have to dress up on my account,” he said with a laugh.

  “This is what you get when you come calling before ten,” she said with a shrug. “Where are we going for breakfast?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Lucy, please tell my folks where I’ve gone.”

  “Yes, Miss Sara,” the cook said with a broad smile. “Have a good time now, hear?”

  Sara wondered what had put Lucy in such a jovial mood as she followed Dil out the front door.

  As Dil had said, it was a lovely day. He had the top down on his Maserati and she sat back in her seat, enjoying the beauty of the countryside as it flashed by.

  She frowned when Dil pulled turned off the highway and drove into a wooded area some distance off the road.

  “I don’t recall any restaurants out here,” Sara remarked, glancing around.

  “It’s new.” He parked the car, got out, and opened her door. “Come on.” Taking her hand, he led her toward a patch of lush green grass surrounded by tall trees.

  Sara’s eyes widened when she saw the white wicker picnic basket sitting on a blanket beside a chilled bottle of champagne. She felt suddenly apprehensive as he indicated she should sit down. Dil had always been a romantic at heart and she had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach when he sat across from her and opened the basket.

  “You know how I feel about you, Sara,” he said as he withdrew a single red rose and handed it to her. “I’m hoping you feel the same.” He reached into the basket again. This time, he pulled out a small, black velvet box. “I love you.” He lifted the lid, revealing a large diamond set in a platinum band. “Will you marry me, Sara?”

  She stared at him. Not long ago, she had told herself she might as well marry Dil and settle down. What difference did it make, now that Travis was gone?

  “Sara?”

  “Dil, I …” She shook her head. “I love you, but I’m not in love with, not in the way you deserve. I didn’t mean to lead you on.”

  He closed the box with a snap. “Still in love with that other guy?”

  “Yes.” Even as she said it, she wondered if she was making a horrible mistake. She would probably never see Travis again. Did she want to spend the rest of her life alone? She could be content with Dil. They got along well. They could have a
comfortable life together. Their parents were good friends. But even as she considered accepting, she knew it would be a mistake. Dil deserved a wife who loved him the way she loved Travis. And that would never be her. “I’m sorry.”

  “Good thing I didn’t follow your mom’s advice and ask you at the dance tonight,” he said, forcing a wan smile. “At least this way no will ever know you turned me down.”

  Sara nodded.

  “So, who is this guy you’re so crazy about?”

  “I met him in Susandale.”

  “Is he in love with you, too?”

  “I think so.”

  “You think so? Well, dang, maybe there’s still hope for me.”

  “I’ll always love you, Dil. But only as a friend.”

  “I guess I’ll have to live with that,” he said, glumly. “But I won’t like it. And I won’t give up hope.”

  Leaning forward, Sara kissed him on the cheek. “I hope you find a wonderful girl who’ll love you as you deserve.”

  “Yeah, me, too. I mean, I’m a pretty good catch.”

  “Yes, you are,” she said, grateful that he was taking her refusal so well. “Did you pack any food in that basket?”

  If Sara had thought it was hard refusing Dil’s proposal, it was even harder to tell her parents about it before the dance that night.

  Donna Winters stared at her daughter as if she couldn’t believe her ears. “But why? Why would you say no?”

  George Winters shook his head, obviously disappointed. “I trust you have a good reason.”

  “The best there is. I’m not in love with him. Dil understands. Why can’t you?”

  “We just always expected the two of you to marry,” her mother said. “But of course your happiness is what matters.”

  Sara nodded, thinking it was too bad her mother’s tone didn’t match her words.

  “You’d best go get ready,” her father said. “We don’t want to be late.”

  The last thing Sara wanted to do was go to another dance at the country club. Dil would be there, as would all of their friends. At least she knew Dil hadn’t told anyone of his plans to propose. Going to the club would have been unbearable if everyone knew.