After Sundown: Redemption

by Eden Robins

  Christian scanned the room as they found a table and sat down. Most people were on the dance floor, moving to the sound of the latest gothic rock band. If the air didn’t crackle with immortal energy, this place would seem like almost any other hot nightclub. But the aura was unmistakable. The majority of the patrons here tonight were immortals or other mystical creatures.

  “You asked me about The Light. After doing some research, I found the answer.”

  Christian swung his interested gaze back to Vlad.

  “And?”

  “And it seems our friend Bazhena has an ego bigger than we originally thought. Not only is she determined to attract and kill men. She has decided that she wants to attract all men. Every single one of them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s found an ancient spell that’s designed to make her the most desirable creature in the world. If she succeeds, no one, human or immortal, will be able to resist her.”

  “Is that possible?”

  “According to the legend, yes. But first she must collect certain items to make the spell complete. One of the most important items on that list is The Light.

  Christian frowned in consternation.

  “That brings me back to my original question. What is The Light’?”

  Vlad paused before answering.

  “What?” Impatience laced Christian’s voice.

  “The Light is a soul who is devoted to helping others, a person who can empathize with others, to the point of almost knowing their thoughts. A person who has experienced pain and death and is determined to save others from that pain, even at the risk of his or her own life. A person convinced that it’s his or her job to save the human race. In other words, a hero, or heroine.”

  “Alyssa!” Christian hissed.

  Vlad nodded his head slowly.

  “Bazhena must have found out about Alyssa from her national tour and best selling book. When we ran into her that first night at our office, she wasn’t there to see us, as she claimed. She must have been following Alyssa. It’s her she’s wanted all along. She fits the description completely.”

  “Is there only one Light? Surely other people fit that description.”

  “More than one Light exists. But, as you can imagine, they are in the minority. Bazhena must have just decided to go for Alyssa because she had caught her attention. And once she saw Alyssa had a connection to you, it probably made the pot sweeter for her. Acquire The Light and have her revenge on you for leaving her,” Vlad explained.

  Christian’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

  “Bazhena will never have Alyssa. I won’t allow it. She’ll have to kill me first,” Christian vowed.

  “Do you have a plan?” Vlad asked.

  “Like I told you earlier, I had her where I wanted tonight. I almost killed her. A moment’s hesitation cost me that opportunity. But she escaped in a truly weakened state. Dammit! If I hadn’t stayed to care for Alyssa I know I could have killed her.”

  Vlad looked at Christian shrewdly.

  “If you could go back now, knowing what you know, would you truly have left Alyssa alone and gone after Bazhena?”

  Christian struggled within himself for a moment, then released a frustrated breath.

  “No. That’s become my bane. Alyssa means too much to me. She is my weakness.”

  “If you look deep inside yourself, my friend, you’ll realize that she is so much more to you than that. She’s also your strength.”

  Christian didn’t want to face that issue right now. He would handle this as he’d handled everything in the past. Analyzing the issue step-by-step, never getting ahead of himself. At the moment, Bazhena was the problem he needed to deal with.

  “Bazhena is still in a weakened state. Dawn is close approaching. I can’t see her doing anything else until the next nightfall. Even then, she may not be at her full power. But I still wouldn’t underestimate her. She left a personalized message for me today at Alyssa’s condo.”

  Vlad’s eyes narrowed dangerously and fury changed their color to red. Christian knew just how much he hated Bazhena.

  “What kind of message?” Vlad demanded.

  Christian explained about the head on Alyssa’s door and the significance of Bazhena leaving it there.

  “She is insane. Even for a vamp. Do you have a plan?”

  “Yes, but for it to work, I’ll need you to watch over Alyssa tomorrow night at her last speech. Even though I’ll be close to both of you at all times, I don’t trust her with anyone else.”

  Vlad agreed.

  “I’ll be there. What are you going to do?”

  Christian laid out his plan to Vlad.

  “It sounds good. But I’m bringing backup with me, just in case. I want to end Bazhena’s existence as much as you do. Nothing is going to get in the way of that this time,” Vlad promised.

  “I have no problem with that. Just keep them downwind of Bazhena. I don’t want her thinking anything is wrong.”

  “Right. I know just which guys to use.”

  Before Christian could ask Vlad who, Amy walked up to them.

  She was the human he had gleaned information about Bazhena from the last time they met. Maybe she could help him again. He remembered her boyfriend was acting as emissary to Bazhena while she was in the city. He also remembered that Amy wanted “the change”, she wanted to become a vampire. But her boyfriend kept refusing.

  “Hi, handsome.” Amy smiled seductively as she sidled closer to Christian. “Haven’t we met before? I don’t think I’d forget a face like yours, or yours for that matter,” she said glancing heatedly towards Vlad.

  “You boys look, uh, hungry and bored. Maybe I could interest you both in a little snack and play?” She brushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing her creamy white neck to both of them. She had bite marks on her neck. They were faded, almost completely healed, but still discernable to another vampire.

  Christian’s beast stirred. The woman’s blood called to him.

  Christian wrapped his arms around Amy’s waist and slid her back between his long legs. When her bottom bumped into him, she released a moan of pleasure.

  Grinning wolfishly at Vlad, Christian raised one eyebrow in question.

  “I’m up for a little snack and play. How about you, bud?”

  Vlad looked deeply into Amy’s eyes. Christian released her with a knowing chuckle as she moved away from him. She slid between Vlad’s muscular thighs. She gasped at the contact. He ran his fingers slowly down her bare arm to her fingertips. Lightly grasping her hand he lifted it to his mouth. Turning it over, so that the fleshy part of her palm was exposed, he pressed his mouth to it. His eyes remained locked on hers. When he began running his tongue over the tender spot, Amy let out another moan of pleasure.

  Vlad gave her palm one last kiss before lifting his head and smiling seductively.

  “Your beauty and delectable offer truly tempt me. Unfortunately, I’m obliged to be elsewhere. I’m sure Christian will have no problem satisfying you.”

  Vlad grasped Amy’s waist and pressed her away from him. In a matter of seconds, she was all over Christian. Vlad smiled ruefully. His friend never had trouble with the ladies, with or without the use of power. He got up off of the barstool and prepared to leave.

  Ignoring her frustrated sigh, Christian set Amy away from him. Then he sent her a mental command to stay.

  Vlad and Christian walked slightly away from Amy. Just out of listening distance.

  “She is the one you mentioned talking to previously?” Vlad asked immediately.

  “Yes. I erased her memory of our previous encounter. I’ll see what else I can find out from her.”

  “Be careful.”

  “Always.”

  Vlad gave him a doubtful look.

  “See you tomorrow night. Good luck.”

  Vlad glanced back at Amy one last time with desire and regret evident in his stare.

  “It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do
it,” Christian replied with a cocky grin.

  “Tell that to Alyssa.”

  Christian’s smile slipped and he frowned angrily.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m sorry, my friend. My comment was uncalled for. I know you’re an honorable man. My current project with Little Miss Princess has left me very frustrated and, uh, unsatisfied. I’m jealous of the time you get to spend with a beautiful woman. What more can I say?”

  Christian’s expression relaxed.

  “That bad?”

  Vlad nodded his head, a pained expression on his face.

  “Yes.”

  Christian could see that Vlad was deeply troubled by his situation.

  “Can I help you with anything?”

  “No. This is something she and I need to come to terms with very soon.” Vlad changed the subject quickly. “If I don’t hear from you, I’ll assume that whatever you learned tonight isn’t important to our plan. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  “Right. See you then.”

  * * * * *

  Alyssa punched her pillow. She had to do something. She was angry and frustrated. He left without saying goodbye! After everything they had shared that night, the coward couldn’t even face her to say goodbye! Well, that was just fine. The next time she saw Christian, she was so going to let him have it.

  She gave the pillow one last punch and set it down. As she lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind wandered over the last few days. She had been stalked, threatened and attacked. She had met preternatural creatures of different kinds and a vampire had bitten her on more than one occasion. Not her everyday life, that’s for sure.

  She could handle the first part, the threatening, stalking and even attacking. It wasn’t pleasant or something she wanted repeated, but she had always been a fighter. Taking what life gave her and dealing with it the best she could. However, the preternatural creatures and vampire bites were more questionable. It wasn’t just the danger from Bazhena that worried her either. Although that was scary enough, it was her feelings towards Christian that left Alyssa floundering.

  She was in love with him. She knew that now. Finally admitted it to herself. It happened so quickly that she couldn’t trace the exact moment when it became a reality. Despite this, it was true. Now what was she going to do about it? She had just made the most incredible love with Christian and he left her without a word. She felt empty without him. Why couldn’t he have at least said goodbye?

  Alyssa panicked. It was happening. She was becoming like her mother, needy and dependent. Revolving her thoughts and feelings completely around one man. Fear engulfed her. What was she going to do?

  When Jonathan jumped on her bed and snuggled next to her, she absently petted him. His loud purring comforted her. She concentrated on the silky feel of his fur. Her thoughts grew less frantic.

  “What am I going to do, Jonathan?”

  The cat raised his head at the sound of her voice and stared into her eyes. He looked at her with complete understanding. His yellow eyes seemed to urge her to speak.

  “I can’t, won’t be like my mother. I don’t want to live that way.” The desperation in her voice was obvious even to her. “But I do love him.”

  As if sensing her distress, Jonathan stood up and meowed sharply. Placing his front paws on her chest, he settled down half on top of her, half off. He nuzzled her hand as she started to pet him again. He began purring and Alyssa could feel the soothing vibration of the sound against her chest. Her mind raced for a few minutes, but the calming sound of Jonathan’s purring soon lulled her to sleep. Her dreams were filled, fittingly enough, with a sexy vampire whose mocha-colored eyes made her melt into a puddle of desire.

  Loud voices woke her up some time later. Alyssa bolted up in her bed as she heard her aunt yelling. Jonathan had to jump off her chest as she did so and he gave a loud meow of complaint. She gave him a quick pet in apology as she listened to the voices that came through the door loud and clear.

  “Who are you and what have you done with my niece?”

  “Your niece is safe,” She heard Jason growl back menacingly.

  Alyssa scooted off the bed and strode towards her door. Opening it quickly she walked out and stopped in her tracks.

  Aunt Joyce stood on tiptoes, hands on her hips, glaring up at Jason. Her face was screwed tight with anger. She seemed unconcerned with the gigantic size of the man in front of her, or the fact that his body language was far from friendly. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides and his body rigid as he loomed over her aunt.

  Alyssa needed to diffuse this situation immediately.

  “I’m okay, Aunt Joyce. Jason is a friend of Christian’s. He’s just keeping an eye on me, while Christian’s, um, away.”

  “Hmph.” Joyce gave Jason one last glare, before she walked over to Alyssa. Her expression transformed from anger to worry in an instant.

  “How are you, dear? How’s your head? You look a little frazzled.” Joyce placed her hand softly against Alyssa’s cheek.

  Alyssa smiled.

  “I’m fine. Last night was just a little, uh, hectic. I’ll make some coffee for us and tell you all about it.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay, dear.”

  Her aunt slid her hand from Alyssa’s cheek as her expression changed again, this time to irritation.

  “I wish someone had told me what was going on. I got a call from Christian, requesting that I meet you here early this morning, but nothing about this man,” her aunt said glancing back at Jason. “Someone should have told me.”

  The reproof in her voice was unmistakable.

  “You’ll have to take that up with Christian. I had nothing to do with it,” Alyssa said with great relish. Christian could just face the music for leaving without saying goodbye to her, or explaining anything to her aunt.

  Alyssa noticed Jason staring strangely at the two of them. It was as if they were some alien species he didn’t quite understand. When she walked towards him, his expression cleared. Arrogant boredom replaced his perplexed expression.

  Alyssa held her hand out to him.

  “Thank you for watching over me, Jason.”

  Jason did not hold out his hand. He just stared blankly at her. Alyssa dropped her hand slowly, wondering what to do next.

  “Would you like to have some coffee with us?” Alyssa finally asked.

  Jason’s eyes widened at her words. He looked surprised by her offer. Then he seemed to get a hold of himself and cleared his throat loudly.

  “Uh, no. I have to go now. Before it becomes full light.”

  Without another word, he strode to the door, opened it and left.

  Alyssa locked the door, then turned back to her aunt. They looked at each other in confusion. Then her aunt shrugged her shoulders and started making coffee.

  “That was a strange man, Alyssa. There was something different about him.”

  Alyssa nodded in agreement.

  “Yes, very different.”

  Alyssa said nothing more to her aunt about it. She knew she had just met another creature of the night, but she wasn’t sure what he was. He wasn’t a vampire. She was starting to learn what it felt like to have a vampire in her presence. And Jason didn’t give her the same sense. But he definitely didn’t have the same “feeling” as a human either.

  As soon as the coffee was ready, her aunt poured each of them a cup. She and Aunt Joyce sat down at her small kitchen table.

  “Okay. Tell me everything. What happened to you last night? And why did Christian leave a message asking me to come here so early this morning?” Her aunt asked.

  Alyssa had to be careful. She couldn’t tell her aunt too much. She didn’t want to risk Christian’s life. She didn’t think her aunt would ever purposely try to hurt Christian. But if she learned the truth about him and Sundown Security Agency, there could be trouble. This was a situation most people didn’t encounter everyday of their lives and she wasn’t s
ure what her aunt would do if she found out that Christian was a vampire working for a security agency made up of preternatural creatures.

  “I was attacked last night.” Alyssa wanted to leave Tom out of this as much as possible because Christian had erased his memory of last night’s events.

  “What!” her aunt gasped.

  “Luckily, you sent Christian to my office. By the way, we need to talk about that afterwards.”

  “Talk about what?” Joyce tried to look innocent and failed.

  “You inciting events to further your causes.”

  Her aunt looked like she was about to protest. Alyssa held up her hand to stop her from talking.

  “We will talk about this. I promise you. Later.”

  Her aunt nodded sheepishly.

  “So I was leaving my office and someone attacked me, um, on the way out.”

  “Where was Tom?”

  “He had to stay late to finish up a few things.”

  “Why didn’t he walk you out?” her aunt gazed suspiciously at her.

  “I didn’t feel the need. He was very busy and my car wasn’t too far away. So, even though he offered, I declined.” Alyssa felt miserable as the lies rolled off her tongue. She hated lying. To anyone, but especially to someone she cared about.

  “That wasn’t very smart of you dear. Especially in light of everything that’s happened to you recently,” her aunt admonished.

  “I know,” Alyssa agreed. What could she say? Her aunt was right.

  “So I was walking to my car and I heard someone behind me. I didn’t stop to look back and see who it was. I just began running. The next thing I knew, I ran straight into Christian.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “Christian went after the guy. Unfortunately, before he could get to him, the man disappeared.”

  “He just disappeared?”

  “Yes. You know how Old Scottsdale is packed with buildings and cars. There are a lot of places to hide.”

  Aunt Joyce nodded her head.

  “After that, Christian took me to his house. We talked and, um, rested a bit, then he brought me home.” Her aunt gave her a dubious expression at that part of her explanation, but Alyssa chose to ignore it and continue.