Abby's Road Part 1

by Anne Wentworth

  I shrugged, letting out a small laugh. "No, certainly not, my most humble apologies." I bugged my eyes out at him, and then picked up my menu. No point in trying to navigate his maze, besides, my appetite had come back with a vengeance.

  After a few minutes, I'd finally made up my mind. The way Nix read his menu you'd have thought it was a best-selling novel he couldn't part with.

  I cleared my throat, trying to get his attention.

  "I think I'll have the—"

  "I'll order for you, Rachel." Nix cut me off, his abrupt manner igniting my temper. One glance and I knew he felt my irritation. "Don't get mad, it's simply the way things are done in a place like this. You must allow me to lead and to choose. I promise I won't disappoint you, Rachel." His gaze was level and at once the tension dissolved. He wasn't trying to power-trip me.

  "Go ahead and tell me what I'd like." I challenged, making it into a dare.

  "You want the chicken breasts." He said the word breast slowly, watching for my reaction.

  "I'll give you that one." I wasn't going to argue with someone who could read my mind.

  "We will have the pan-seared chicken breasts with shallots and a dry white wine." Nix glanced up and I nearly jumped out of my skin to find the Maitre d'hôtel standing with a small black note book.

  "I will let Chef know that it is you, Count. He will want to send something special for dessert." He relieved us of our menus, tucking them neatly under his arm. "Miss Owens, I do believe you are under age for the wine, but I will bring something unique for you."

  He was gone before I could see where he'd slipped away to.

  "We are lucky to have got in," Nix said, shaking his head as if he didn't quite believe it.

  I looked around at the many empty tables surrounding ours. The restaurant was quieter than a mausoleum.

  "Yes, good thing. You'd better book ahead for our entire time here." Sarcastic, yes, but I couldn't help myself.

  "I did. I wouldn't chance not getting in." Nix didn't miss a beat. "I want you to experience what having Christmas dinner is like on this scale."

  "What is this Count business?" I ran my fingertip along the stem of the water glass.

  "I'm a Count; there is no business about it. Now you know."

  I sensed Nix was uncomfortable. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "I didn't see the need. So what if I have a title, does it matter?" The way he'd thrown his answer I had no real choice but to catch it and hold on. Why would it matter? But it did. It made me see him differently. I'd seen his refined side bleed out in odd moments—in his speech and mannerisms. He was of a different time, far away and centuries ago.

  "You don't get what's going on, do you?" He studied me, an amused grin pulling at his mouth.

  "No, I don't. So, Count, enlighten me."

  "Close your eyes, Rachel and listen. I want you to put everything out of your mind and allow yourself to drift." He nodded.

  I shut my eyes, sitting, feeling the room slip away. It was strange, like suddenly everything around had simply evaporated. First I heard nothing, but the deafening sound of quiet. After a few more seconds, noise filtered into my head. I heard people talking, laughing, flatware against plates, coughing, shuffling. I opened my eyes to find the tables around filled with people eating and talking.

  "My God, what is this?" And then it all disappeared.

  Nix reached, grasping my arm. "That is very good for a first time. If you hadn't panicked, you'd still be part of it."

  "This room, it's full of other..."

  "Vampires and other creatures that you would find in your horror books. The Betherington Mansion Hotel caters to my kind and a few select others." Nix glanced up. The Maitre d'hôtel was back with the wine and a fancy drink for me.

  "Will this be satisfactory, Count?" His dry tone almost had me laughing. He reminded me of the stereotypical butler with his snooty way of speaking and an overly-rigid backbone.

  "This is fine," Nix said after taking a sip. "Leave the bottle and tell Chef not to fuss about dessert."

  "I want dessert. Tell Chef to fuss all he wants and while you're at it, let him know I'm particularly partial to anything chocolate."

  Where had that all come from? Normally I'd never speak up and make demands.

  I raised my head, hoping Nix wouldn't be angry. With just a look he let me know I'd overstepped my boundary. Sheepishly, I faced the Maitre d'hôtel.

  "I apologize."

  "There is no need, Miss Owens. You may address me by my first name, Jackdaw."

  Nothing could have taken the wind out of my sail faster. His name was Jackdaw—and Jackdaws were noisy black birds. His name couldn't be further from his demeanor. Could this get any weirder?

  "Jackdaw—what an interesting name, is it a nickname?" I asked, trying to keep it together while Nix's gaze burned into my skin.

  Jackdaw shook his head. "No, it's my first name." His expression was one for the books. I didn't know if I'd insulted him or he thought I was a wing nut. The man was impossible to read.

  "By the way, Miss, I made your drink with special care. You might find it easier to focus and see properly. Enjoy your meal. Count, it is always such a pleasure to have you stay with us." He did a quick nod of his head and disappeared.

  Where the hell did he go to? I searched around, turning in my chair, forgetting we were surrounded by others.

  Nix came around, blocking my view. He pretended to adjust my chair, but was really preventing me from making a spectacle of myself.

  "You're attracting unwanted attention. They know you're human and therefore, are more than interested in you."

  "What would they want from me?" I lowered my voice. Nix returned to his seat.

  "For starters, your blood, and other things..." He held his wine glass up for a toast, forcing me to pick up my drink. "To new beginnings and love that lives forever."

  I touched my glass to his. The drink Jackdaw had created for me was more like a smoothie. It tasted good, really good. I took a second sip, feeling warmth flooding out through my body. When I looked up, the people around us were in clear focus and the noise in the dining room was deafening.

  "Like your drink?" Nix asked. His eyes glowed and the silver bits sparked out like little lightning bolts. Whatever ingredients Jackdaw had used to concoct this beverage made it possible for me to see fine detail.

  "Yes. I have no idea what is in it, but it is good. May I have another?"

  "No, I wouldn't recommend that. One of those should do you for the night. Have something more...common for your second drink. Jackdaw is about to serve our lunch."

  Suddenly a plate was placed before me. I breathed in deeply, savoring the aromas of the dish.

  "Enjoy." Jackdaw gave us a dazzling smile.

  "Thank you, Jackdaw." I gave Nix a fast glance, and then dug in. The taste was beyond anything I'd ever had and with each bite, my appetite increased.

  We'd made it half-way when a voice cut into our conversation. A rather pinched-looking individual stood by our table. He was tall, with a maroon velvet dinner jacket and a pencil mustache.

  "Count, it is always a pleasure to have such a distinguished vampire in our company. I see you brought..." He stopped, staring at me with a mixture of wonder and knowing. "I see you brought a guest. She's lovely and she looks very tasty. I'm sure you will be enjoying your holiday."

  The clank of my fork dropping brought a sudden hush over the entire dining room. I looked up to find dozens of sets of eyes trained on our table.

  "Alistair, you do flatter me, but that is your way. Yes, I have brought a very special guest. May I present, Miss Rachel Owens. Rachel, darling, this is Alistair, a member of my sect."

  I nodded my head, murmuring a hello. Alistair stared and I felt his gaze touching my skin, my hair. It was a strange examination that involved no actual touching, but lots of creepiness.

  Nix put his arm out between us. "I believe that will be sufficient, Alistair. She is under my care and protection and y
ou may go back to your masters with that information."

  "Oh, Count, please forgive me. I didn't mean to make the...your...friend uncomfortable. It's simply that I find her so fresh and interesting. I would love to show her around the hotel, if you'd permit?" He smiled, his teeth yellowed from tobacco and neglect. I wanted no part in such a venture and if Nix didn't put a stop to this sideshow, I would.

  "That won't be happening. Not now, or anytime in the foreseeable future. Please, go finish your lunch and may I be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas."

  Alistair bowed low, first to Nix and then me. "As you wish, Count, I did not wish to offend. Please accept my most sincere apologies and also to you, Miss Owens." He turned slightly, delivering a wink that Nix wouldn't have seen.

  "Goodbye, Alistair." I kept my voice as cold as I could manage. I wanted the creep to creep off.

  "A Merry Christmas to you both and may your stockings be filled with many surprises." Alistair bowed again and walked away. I watched him, his walk more a glide as he weaved through the maze of tables until making it back to his. There were four others at his table and they all continued to stare in our direction.

  "That guy is creepy all in upper case. Is he a friend of yours?" I should have measured my words.

  "He is of aristocratic birth and holds a prominent place in our sect; don't let the velvet jacket put you off. He has good intentions, some of the time. I'm not impressed with his behavior today, I will admit. He over-stepped his place and I will have to correct him in private.

  "What are you going to do, give him a detention?" I laughed, picking up my fork to resume the rest of lunch.

  "No, I'm afraid it will require a more severe and strict approach. I will handle it; you are not to concern yourself with such things. Are you enjoying your lunch?"

  Nice lane change. No jerking or sudden speed increase, just a smooth transition.

  "Yes, and yourself, Count, are you finding the offerings satisfactory?" Formal and haughty, I wanted to get it across that I wasn't so easily dismissed.

  Nix studied me hard, and then that familiar smile burst out.

  "You do fill my heart, Rachel. Now eat, or Jackdaw will tell Chef we didn't like it and trust me, we don't want him at the table asking questions."

  Was that actual fear on my vampire's face?

  "Don't worry; I'll rave about how wonderful the food is."

  Nix hesitated before responding, from his expression, he had deeper worries than a raving Chef.

  "Rachel, you need to be careful. If anything out of the ordinary happens, you must let me know immediately. Do you understand?"

  Out of the ordinary? Was he kidding? I was in a hotel for vampires, what could possibly be normal about that?

  "Sure. If anything odd happens, I'll tell you straight away." I wrinkled my nose at him.

  "Like you did about the note?"

  "I was afraid and I didn't want to upset you."

  His gaze reached to me, holding me still.

  "Believe me; Alistair can make you afraid and much more. Never let any little detail pass without letting me know." He took in a deep breath, scanning around the dining room. I could see he was uneasy, but could the others? "Perhaps I was too quick to bring you here. Just be cautious and all will be well."

  I'd only finished when Jackdaw was at the table, collecting our plates.

  "Oh, Count, you will be pleased, Chef has made dessert in your honor. And I must ask did you find your lunch satisfactory?" He waited, a goofy hopeful expression coming over his features.

  "Please convey my compliments to Chef and thank him for a superb meal. I look forward to his Christmas dinner."

  Jackdaw looked as though he might actually take flight.

  "I'll bring dessert."

  I had no issues with that. Anything sweet was welcome and I rarely had fancy desserts, so this was a treat. I thought about Christmas dinner. Funny, it had been one of the things I'd pined for most in previous years, but with so much happening, I'd forgotten about it. Christmas hadn't been this, with decorations and amazing food and plush lodging. It had been me with my microwave dinner and radio Christmas Carols. I swallowed, the familiar wave of pain going over me at how lonely I'd been. It's those moments, when you can hear and see and smell what is going on in the outside world, of families gathering, of people celebrating and having fun, those are the things you want to reach for. Friends...

  After the house fire, I'd been held at arm's length by not only people my age, but those older, who ought to have known better, or should have behaved like they did. No one on my old road would speak to me, or bothered to try to get in touch. The one time I'd gone for a walk and knocked on a neighbor's door, I'd been given a cold shoulder.

  "You shouldn't be here, Rachel, not after what happened. You got off, everyone knows that. Your mother and sister were good people, and because of you, they're gone."

  I sucked in my breath, unaware that I was lost in thoughts and being carefully observed by a vampire that missed nothing.

  "She was a bitch and she knew the truth. People judge and condemn, and at some point, life will give it back. Tristan found that out." Nix inclined his head. I glanced up in time to see Jackdaw carrying a large silver tray.

  "Count, Chef has made this for you and your lovely guest. Enjoy."

  All I cared about was that it was chocolate.

  "This is a chocolate mousse bomb cake and will satiate the needs of any true chocoholic." He smiled at me.

  Nix waited until he left. He picked up the extra wine glass and filled it.

  "Here, you're almost eighteen; back where I was from, a woman was married with a family by then."

  "I haven't indulged much. Rein and I used to share a bottle of wine at the beach, have a fire, that sort of thing. I never had the time or the opportunity to party, my life didn't turn down those roads." I held my glass up to toast. "Thank you for bringing me to this...odd vampire-infested place for Christmas and all your wonderful gifts."

  He touched his glass to mine, his eyes telling me how he felt.

  "I'm an easy drunk, so if I do manage to finish this, you might have to carry me back to the room."

  The dessert was beyond decadent and I finished my piece before Nix. We managed to forget about those around with their inquisitive gazes and simply enjoyed the rest of the meal. This was the longest lunch I'd ever had. I swallowed the last bit of wine, already feeling the glow spreading over my face. I always flushed out when I drank wine.

  "Rachel, how are you feeling?" Nix took my hand, bringing it to his lips. He slid into the chair closer to mine, putting his arm around my shoulder. "You look stunning in that dress. You're beautiful and I want to make this Christmas and your birthday the best you've ever had."

  "That should be easy." I let out a little hiccup of laughter. The world was much friendlier since I'd consumed that wine and I'd have to try to keep some of my natural guard up.

  He paused as if my honesty had tripped him up.

  "I mean that I haven't had much celebrating at Christmas and Rein was the only one to ever really try to do something for my birthday, so it will be easy for you to outdo any of the past." Okay, I'd made it worse. Wine was bad for verbal filters.

  Nix gave me a tight smile, motioning for Jackdaw.

  "Shall we see what the establishment has on offer?" Nix didn't wait for Jackdaw, abruptly standing, forcing me to follow his lead.

  Jackdaw arrived, bowing and thanking us profusely for having graced the dining room. Underneath Nix's polite response, I could see his unease at the attention. It wasn't difficult to understand how this type of behavior could get tiring very quickly.

  ∞

  Back in the room, I asked Nix for some time alone. Truthfully, the wine had hit me hard and I needed to have a rest and get my head straight. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and all the ghosts of my Christmases past loomed in the corner, their smug faces letting me know that they intended to visit and disrupt, despite my more luxurious accommodati
on.

  I slipped out of the dress, carefully hanging it up. I took the jeweler's box, setting the necklace and earring onto the soft velvet. I would give everything back. Yes, I'd enjoyed wearing it and being out at a fancy restaurant, but something inside said I couldn't keep these gifts. My gut nagged and it wasn't the rich food and the wine. I showered again, using more of the bath goodies provided. I had no intention of not using or returning any of that.

  After, I put on my jeans and the black turtleneck sweater Nix had given me. I stared at myself in the mirror. I was still Rachel, whether I wore a designer dress or jeans.

  At the window, I stared at the ocean in the distance. I wanted to go down there and walk—alone. How would Nix take that? I also didn't relish the idea of running into Alistair or his posse. A soft knock came at the door between our rooms.

  "Come in."

  "Are you feeling better?" Nix came in. I noted he'd also changed into jeans and a deep blue pullover. His gaze went over to where I'd gathered everything—the dress, the clutch, and shoes. He didn't say anything, but nodded silently.

  "I'd like to walk along the beach, are you good with that?"

  "I have to attend to some things. Dress warm, the wind is chilly, and be on guard for anyone around. If you feel unsafe, just whisper my name, deal?"

  "I promise, but I don't believe anyone will be around. Only certain kinds of people walk the shore in winter and your bunch here don't look the type. I'll bet most of them are still in the dining room having second desserts, coffee and after lunch drinks, am I right?"

  Nix made a face. "True. They don't usually manage to leave until Jackdaw pries them off their chairs. They end up in the lounge and gossip about anything new in the dining room and today that was you."

  "I'll see you later. If I don't unwind, I'll explode," I said as he came over to plant a kiss on my cheek.

  "I need to give you that space to heal from your heartache and all the crazy events of the past few months. I do love you, Rachel, don't forget that."

  He left, closing the door quietly. I wondered what he had to attend to, but if he'd wanted me to know, he would have told me. This was my opportunity to get down to the beach and be by the water. I put on my boots, my coat and scarf and grabbed the room key before heading off.