Emily felt like shopping today. No, she didn’t have the money for it, but mostly she needed to get out of the house. Besides, she still needed to pick up paint for at least the living room. She’d reconsidered the calm storm sample that Marcus had suggested. It would be perfect for the bedroom.
Emily stared at the refrigerator for a few moments, unsure of what to do. Marcus had run out of blood—not that it mattered since it had been cursed—and she didn’t relish the idea of becoming a meal.
She peeked inside the freezer, hoping it would magically restock itself. A brand new pint of ice cream sat nestled between a bag of ice and a frozen dinner. It was thoughtful of him to remember her favorite flavor. And just what was the vampire hinting at by buying Karamel Sutra?
The Bug refused to start. Each time she turned the key it made a hollow click-click noise. She rested her forehead against the steering wheel. “Stupid hunk of junk.”
She mopped the sweat from her brow and touched the keychain once more. A little sweet talking was in order. “C’mon, baby. C'mon. I didn’t mean it. Start for mama.”
Much to her despair, the Bug answered with another click-click.
“You’re gonna burn up your starter, ma’am,” said a masculine voice just outside the left window.
Emily lifted her head and shrieked. A beefcake with a crew cut smiled down at her. Stylish shades obscured his eyes, and he looked half-baked in a dark suit. His colleague, who was older and slightly shorter with the same hairstyle and fashion sense, moved toward the car. He wasn’t smiling.
Emily dove out the other side of the car. She tumbled to the ground, scrambled up then took off toward the house.
“Wait, Miss Cross!” The younger of the two lumbered onto the porch after her. She closed the door on his foot, and he grunted with pain.
His panting partner joined them. “Mistress Isabella sent us.”
“What's with you people?” Emily struggled to shut the door.
The older guy rammed his shoulder against it. “Why can’t we just do this the easy way? Get her, Chad.”
Chad grabbed Emily around the middle and hauled her off her feet. She kicked and twisted despite their assurances that they weren’t going to harm her. Her elbow brushed the unmistakable form of a gun.
Emily didn’t exactly relax, but she did cease her struggles. These two apparently were armed.
The older guy followed them outside and closed the door behind him. “I doubt this will take very long, Miss Cross. Isabella has a proposition for you, and she’s willing to pay you for your trouble.”
***
Corey met them in the potpourri scented foyer. He nodded at Chad and the older man. “Thanks, guys, I’ll take it from here.”
The two muscle men didn’t stick around. After being dismissed, they disappeared behind the door from which they’d entered. Chad cast one last glance in Emily’s direction then stepped out of sight.
Nervous fingers lifted to touch the necklace at her throat. Remembering what Beau had told her, Emily scratched her nose instead. “Where’s Evan?”
Corey pinned her with his dark gaze. How could a person tell if he had gone vampy or not? Especially when his eyes were already so dark.
Emily’s mind thought of all the things she should have done. Maybe she should have called Scott, or at the very least, left a note for Marcus. “Why would you even care where he is, Sugar? I’m here and so happy to see you. Why don’t you come visit me after Isabella's done with you? I promise to be nice.”
“Where is Evan?” She was irritated that he had skirted around the issue again. “Last time I saw him he had bite marks and a black eye. Is he okay?”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her down a familiar hallway. For once, his hands behaved. “For the record, he wasn’t bitten.”
“And the person who tried to bite him?”
“Don’t worry, he was punished.” The look on Corey’s face led her to believe he might have been the guilty party.
His fingers crawled beneath her tank top and tickled across her ribcage. She knocked his hand away and glared at him. She should have known Corey couldn’t behave himself. Emily tried to tamp down her nervousness. No point in exciting this already eager nosferatu.
Corey finally answered, “Anyway, she sent him to run an errand. I guess she didn’t want him to know you’re here.”
“Why?” Emily removed his hand from her rump.
Corey rolled his dark eyes and dropped his hands to his side. “He’d tell his crush all about it.”
“Does this involve Marcus?”
“I have no idea. How is the old man? Isabella was very unhappy with him for attacking you.”
Emily shrugged, feigning disinterest. “What does Isabella want from me now?”
“How should I know?” He licked his lips suggestively. “I get paid to make her happy, not ask questions.”
Evan was the only sane person in the household, and they’d sent him away. Wasn’t that just freaking fantastic? “Why are you up and around? It’s mid-afternoon.”
Corey made sure she got a good view of his pointy teeth. “Firstly, we don’t need that much sleep. If we stay away from the sunlight, we’re fine. And secondly, I think you’d be surprised at how long I can stay up.”
He tried to pin her to the wall with his hips. Emily stepped away from the vampire and shook her head. “Just once I’d like to see you keep from trying to molest me.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” He knocked on the door in front of them. “That’s it for me, sweet cheeks. Have fun.”
Emily reluctantly pushed the door open and entered the bedroom. She found Isabella sitting at the vanity. Today she wore a long green dress woven with intricate gold embroidery. It reminded her of something from a Renaissance fair or a period piece from a museum.
“I am glad you came, Emilia.” Isabella stroked a brush through her thick tresses.
Emily remained where she was. “It wasn’t like I had a choice.”
“I would like to apologize on the behalf of Marcus and what took place last night. Never has anything like that happened to him. I must admit, I was as shocked as you must have been.”
Shocked? That was an understatement!
The vampire pulled her hair into an up-do. She opened a jewelry box with the flick of a wrist and removed several diamond-encrusted hairpins. “He will be punished, of course.”
“Why? There was something wrong with the blood. He didn’t attack me on purpose.” Why the hell was she vouching for him? She nearly became a snack.
Isabella’s dark gaze watched her in the mirror’s reflection. “You do not feel any ill will toward him?”
“No more than usual. Did you want something from me?” The sooner she could get out of here, the better.
Isabella took her time laying aside the brush and getting up from the vanity. She shook out her ankle length skirt and slipped her feet into marabou heels. Finally, she came to rest on the edge of the sofa. “I am curious, Emilia. Have you and Marcus spoken much?”
“I don’t see much of him. Why?”
Isabella sighed in irritation. “He does not stay inside the house with you?”
“No, is he supposed to?” She couldn’t help the grin that kicked up the corner of her mouth. “Maybe he thinks I’ll try to stake him or something, I don’t know.”
Isabella flicked lint off the hem of her skirt and managed to look annoyed while doing it. “If Marcus stays in the house, he might talk to you.”
Emily was more than confused. She fidgeted with the hem of her shorts, wanting to touch the necklace instead. “He isn’t much of a talker. Is there something I’m missing here?”
Isabella’s laughter sounded odd, almost alien. “Marcus has been unhappy for some time. I suspect he no longer loves me and will either leave or try to overthrow me. I am afraid we do not always see eye to eye.”
Emily stared at the woman across from her. Could it be the mistress was simply a lover scorned? Hadn
’t Marcus mentioned something about her accusing him of sleeping around?
“I try not to worry about such trivial things. He is not my only love, nor will he ever be. He is just one of many, but he is mine. As his sire, I cannot bear the idea of not having him at my side. Marcus is very special to me, but I will not allow him to take over. I will not permit it. That privilege is for someone else.”
“And if he were to try?”
Isabella reared back, a look of disgust on her face. “It is an offense punishable by death. Assuming, of course, he does not succeed.”
Emily swallowed hard. Ah, it was becoming so much clearer now. None of this was about any love lost. It was about the woman’s jealous streak and hurt pride. She watched Isabella adjust her skirt for the tenth time. “What kind of job do you have for me? They mentioned something about reading someone?”
“I want you to read him.”
“Who?” Emily stared at the blonde sitting across from her. “You want me to read Marcus?”
“Yes. Will that be a problem?”
“You’re joking, right?” Please say you’re joking! He may have almost eaten her, but she didn't wish him dead. “You would kill Marcus, someone who has been loyal to you for so long so that I can read him?”
Isabella stood and went back to the mirror. She removed the hair pins one at a time and tossed them onto the vanity. Many of them missed and bounced across the lush carpet instead.
“They wrecked your home during the attack, is that correct? You drive a hideous vehicle that is nearly thirty years old, and you wear ragged clothing. Am I to believe you do not need or want my money?”
“I don't want him dead.” A nervous tremor ran up Emily’s spine. “And I don’t want your money.”
“It is a simple task I ask of you. Something you do on a regular basis.”
Emily clenched her jaw. She hated Isabella for pointing out her inadequacies. “Marcus should resume his duties here. Starr hasn't contacted me in days. Maybe she lost interest.”
Isabella smoothed a hand over her hair. “Even though you are not close, your sister is all you have left. Am I correct?”
Emily’s eyes widened, and she licked her lips. Fingers of fear clamped around her heart. “Leave her out of this.”
“Do this simple task for me, and I shall forget all about her.” A cruel smile stretched Isabella’s lips, and her eyes gleamed.
“Mistress, forgive me, but this isn’t a good idea. I don’t have any idea where he’s sleeping and…” Emily bit her bottom lip and shifted on the chair. “I don't think I can kill him.”
Isabella roared with laughter. “Kill him? You could not kill him if you tried. I would be insane to ask that of you.”
Emily slowly released the breath she was holding. “How do you expect me to read him?”
The vampire wiped pinkish tears of laughter from her eyes. “Death comes each time we sleep. You don't have to do anything at all.”
Emily clasped her hands in her lap. Her ignorance of vampires left her feeling small and stupid. Perhaps she should peruse the vampire encyclopedia one more time. Though, it had already proven to be a bunch of bullshit.
“Allow Marcus to stay inside your home. He will not try to hurt you again. He knows the consequences if he does, and I trust even he would not dare test his luck on this.” Her smile was eerie and left a weird feeling in the pit of Emily's stomach.
“What makes you think he’ll agree?”
Isabella whirled and held her with a glare. “You will not mention our meeting. He must not know you are reading him. Do you understand?” The vampire moved closer.
“Yes, but…” Emily’s protests trailed off.
The mistress tossed a wad of bills onto Emily’s lap. “I will pay you half now and you shall receive the rest after you have given me tangible information. No one, not even Evan, will be told about this. Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Emily didn’t see a safe way out of this agreement— an agreement she’d had no part in making. “I don’t even know what answers you want.”
“I have grown tired of this conversation. Go now and take this with you.” Isabella bent and retrieved something from behind the divan. The folded material was black and leathery like bat wings. “These curtains will help keep the sun out. Take great pains to ensure he has a safe place to sleep, Emilia. I will be even less happy with you should he burn.”
She separated and tucked the bills into her front pockets. In her quick calculation, there were close to five thousand dollars there.
Isabella gripped the back of the chair. “I want to know his every thought, every memory, and every wish. Everything, do you understand?” Accepting the curtains, Emily said, “I’ll do what I can.”
“Do what you must in order to get him inside. Impress me with your skills, Emilia. I will contact you soon. Do not forget my warning. Foul this up, and your sister could very well lose her life.”
Emily nodded.
Isabella shooed her away like one would a pesky fly. “Chad will drive you home, please wait in the hall while I call him.”
Alone in the dim hallway, Emily leaned against the wall and took a calming breath. She had to be a special kind of stupid to agree to this. The fact that she had no choice didn’t help matters.
She wasn’t a complete imbecile. Not only did Liz’s life hang in the balance, but hers did as well.
Chad appeared at the end of the hall within moments. “Are you ready to go, Miss Cross?”
Emily pushed away from the wall and followed him into the sitting area. He placed the blindfold over her eyes. She didn’t flinch or try to get away. She didn’t even protest when his hand curled around her elbow and led her back to the car.
“I don’t know what kind of deal she’s made with you, Miss Cross, but I’d be careful. All this secrecy is dangerous.” Chad’s voice was low. Maybe he was afraid someone might overhear. “She had us wait until Ravenna was away before we came for you. Whatever she’s got you doing can’t be good.”
The blindfold shifted, and she wiggled her eyebrows to force it down further. The old Tea House Bed and Breakfast shrank in the rearview. The owners had closed the Victorian down for “restoration” some time ago. Apparently Isabella had commandeered the house while the vampire’s mansion went through repairs.
She twisted in the seat and glanced at Chad. “So, do you think we could stop at the store? I need to pick up a couple of things.”
“Sure, I guess it wouldn’t hurt anything.” He smiled with extremely straight, white teeth. If he noticed the blindfold hanging around her neck, he didn’t say anything. “Besides, she didn’t say I had to take you straight home.”
The bank and home improvement store were out of the way in no time. The next stop was the supermarket. Chad opted to wait in the car while she ran in and grabbed the few things she needed. He warned her not to do anything that might get him in trouble.
She pushed the shopping cart down the frozen section and selected a few microwave dinners and a frozen pizza. Next, she went down the beverage aisle, where she noticed two familiar faces moving down the narrow aisle in her direction. Liz and Denise Hahm were talking at the end of the snack isle. Emily wheeled the cart in the opposite direction.
“Emily? Is that you?” Liz called after her.
Sure it was rude, but she didn’t want to deal with her sister at the moment. She needed to warn Liz about Isabella's threat, but what could she tell her? Besides, Liz wouldn't believe her. After she had paid at the register, Emily hurried to the car and stowed her items inside.
Chad helped carry everything inside the house. He’d even taken a look under the Bug’s hood, but admitted he didn’t know much about ancient cars.
The sun had gone down several minutes ago. Emily was anxious, rehearsing what she might say to Marcus. Surely it couldn’t be as simple as, “Hey, want to sleep inside?”
The back door banged to announce his arrival. Emily fluffed her hair and gave her reflection one l
ast glance. Nervous butterflies fluttered inside her stomach. “Showtime.”
Now, if she could only scare up the nerve to confront Marcus…
Marcus dressed in faded jeans and a t-shirt. His plan was to get out of the house as quickly as possible. He had to get away from the girl. Not only did he lust for her blood, but her body too. Had he not come to his senses last night, he might have taken things too far. He paused in the hallway. Thinking like that could only bring him grief. It would be best to get the job done quickly and get the hell out of there.
He would drop her off at work. Beau could keep an eye on her there while Marcus took care of a few things in town.
Emily passed by the doorway, readying herself for work no doubt.
She’d left her hair down to frame her face and wore a pair of black cropped pants with a fluttery white blouse. The only thing he saw wrong with the outfit was the lime green flip-flops she wore. Didn’t the woman own a single pair of pumps? He'd love to see those long, lithe legs in a pair of fuck-me heels.
On his way in, he’d spied two gallons of paint in the living room. What bothered him most was the faint, familiar scent of two men that lingered near the doorway.
He felt good tonight, not at all like he had these past few days.
Surprisingly, his ego was a bit bruised that Isabella hadn’t demanded his return home yet. Typically she'd be groveling at his feet by now, begging him to come back. It pissed him off that she had told him to stay. His anger had little to do with Isabella and everything to do with Emily. How could he distance himself from the redhead if he had to remain at her side?
Isabella still didn’t trust Emily and said he should continue to keep an eye on her. It was silly. He was ninety-nine point nine percent sure the girl had no involvement with the witch and her idiots. And he certainly didn't need be here to figure out if Scott ran the disposal business. Wren, on the other hand, had raised red flags, and now he had people following her every move. This stagnant lifestyle he was forced to lead was unfair. He hungered to be part of the action, part of the bigger fight.
Of A Darker Nature Page 19