“My sister is dead,” she whispered as if he didn’t already know.
“I’m sorry, Mischa,” he responded.
“She died too soon. I didn’t even get to tell her about our…” Mischa broke off, her head popping up so suddenly, she almost bumped it on Rhad’s chin. “Our grandfather!” She struggled to free herself from his arms. “Rhad, I didn’t tell her about our grandfather!” Half-sobbing, half-laughing, she bounced back toward the position she’d just vacated. “We have to go.” When Rhad didn’t move, she shot him an irritated look. “What are you standing there for? We have to go!”
“Where exactly is it that we are going?”
“To find my grandfather. I thought Rianna was my only family and that I was going to be alone in this world, but now I know my grandfather is in Romania. He’s probably even close by. My father said he always loved these mountains.”
Rhad walked toward her slowly so as not to startle her. “Hamrick said the shaman was your grandfather.”
“Yes, he is! Now, come on. We have to go!” She pointed a finger to where Hamrick sat tied to a large fir. His head remained slumped forward, and he hadn’t stirred since they’d crawled into the cave. “He’ll be all right for now, won’t he? I mean, I know we need to get back so that he can get some help, but I don’t want to waste anymore time.”
Silently Rhad cursed the Fates for the cruel twist Mischa had coming. If only he’d known her grandfather and the shaman were one and the same, he could have spared her some of this agony.
“Mischa,” he called after her in a solemn tone of voice. He wondered if the news he had for her would cripple her.
Shaking her head in robotic fashion, she froze. “Don’t.”
He approached her, his boots crunching over the frozen forest floor. “I have to.”
She held up one hand. “Rhad, I don’t know if I can take any more devastation.”
His hands gripped her shoulders, and he turned her around slowly. “You already know, don’t you?”
Her face crumpled. “How long?”
“Six years now.”
Mischa remained silent for a long, ponderous moment and then Rhad watched as her face became stoic. She stepped away from him and began walking in the opposite direction, back toward the path which led toward his castle.
“Where are you going?” he called after her.
“I have no reason to stay in Romania now. I’m going home.”
Rhad fell into step beside her. “Do you really believe you have no reason to stay here?”
“My family is gone.” Her lower lip wobbled. “My sister died for nothing, and now I find out my grandfather is dead, too. I thought…” She broke off and shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter now.”
“I’ll be your family.” His quiet words stopped her in her tracks.
“Don’t say that. We barely know each other.”
He gave a short laugh. “I daresay we know more about each other than most married couples.”
“Because we had sex?”
“Do you really think it’s important to know what my favorite color is or what I like to eat for breakfast in the morning?” His index finger traced the line of her lip. “I know what you are like in here.” He tapped the wall of her chest which her heart beat behind. “You’re the first person I’ve told about the shaman and what happened to me. You experienced the pain anew with me, and though you knew I was a vampire, you didn’t run away from me. Why do you think you really came to Romania?”
“What do you mean? Rianna called me here.”
“And how do you think she was able to reach you across time and distance? Don’t you think she probably had some help?”
She tried to shake off his hands, but he held fast. “Does it matter?”
“Mischa, I found your unconscious body on my steps. You were half-naked and frozen, and you don’t remember a thing about it. What’s more, someone or something knocked on my front door to call attention to your arrival. Who do you think wanted us to meet?” He saw the confusion cloud her eyes, and he pushed his point. “Do you really think you were brought all this way simply to discover the news about your sister’s death?”
“I found out about my grandfather as well.”
“True, but how does that benefit you?”
“Who said it has to benefit me? Maybe it’s all some kind of cosmic joke.”
“You don’t believe that. That’s not who you are.”
“How do you know that? And furthermore, how can you look at life and not think it’s all some cruel joke with a master dealer cheating at the cards he’s dealing? You were transformed into a vampire, Rhad, a hunted creature with a price on your head. Doesn’t that test the limits of your optimism?”
His temper began a slow boil. “You’re very good with that sharp tongue of yours, but even sarcasm isn’t going to get you out of this dose of hard, cold reality. This isn’t about what I am. It’s about you and what your next step is going to be. Do you really want to go home to an empty apartment, or do you want to stay here and live with the hunted?”
Mischa walked away from him. “I can’t think about this right now. I need,” a sob caught in her throat. “I didn’t even ask Rianna where she was buried.” The words came out as a half-plea.
Rhad caught up with her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I know.”
That stopped her forward progress. “You know what?”
“Where she’s buried.”
“Of course you do.” Mischa’s laugh held no humor. “Because you’re psychic and all. Your vision shows you were a grave is but not who’s in it? Didn’t you know she was already dead?”
He let the silence speak for him, waited for the anger that never came.
“You did know, didn’t you? Why didn’t you just tell me instead of allowing me to continue to look for her?” She sounded broken, fragile even, if that could be a word attributed to Mischa.
“Because I didn’t know how to tell you. And I didn’t want to have to tell you. I never wanted any of this, Mischa. Not my psychic visions. Not what I am. Not this life. None of it.” He turned her in his arms, pressed her face into the curve of his neck. “But I was handling it…until you came along.”
“Maybe things will go back to normal when I’m gone.”
The idea squeezed his still heart. He kissed the top of her head. “Do you really believe that?”
“I’m not sure I know what normal is.”
Rhad pulled back to search her face and easily identified the fear. “Then stay. This life might not be normal, but we have something here. I’m not sure I know what it is, but we won’t be able to find out if you leave.”
“How can you want me to stay with you? You don’t even know me,” she said almost desperately.
He captured her hand and held it over his chest. She couldn’t feel the warmth of his skin as he could hers, but he wanted her to know where the words were coming from. “We’re connected, Mischa. You can’t deny that.”
“This is not happening. My sister is dead. The grandfather I never met is dead, and I’m supposed to believe my soul is connected to a vampire?” Shaking her head desperately, she managed to free herself. “I just want to…”
“What? What do you just want to do? Go back to Boston where nothing awaits you?” He sifted her hair through his fingers. “You have nothing to go home to, my love. Here you have everything.” He pulled her closer. “I’ll give you the world if you’ll give this, whatever it is between us, a chance.”
“Will she be happy, Grandfather?” Rianna asked in a heartsick tone of voice.
The white-haired man moved to stand beside her. He wrapped one arm around her waist. “If she follows her heart, my sweet. I can only lead her to her heart’s desire. I cannot guarantee her happiness.”
“Mischa never has been one to follow her heart.”
The Shaman chuckled. “You might be surprised.”
“How did you know the two of them belonged t
ogether?”
“I recognized their souls. They were two halves of the same whole, both of them searching for something, someone. Each needing to feel loved, to feel accepted. Rhad has been here so long the world has forgotten who he is.”
“Or maybe it was because they never knew him to begin with. He’s been sequestered here for a long time.”
“I knew when I saw Rhad through your eyes that he would save your sister’s life and forever become a part of it in the process.” His arm squeezed her. “What I didn’t know was it would take your death for that to occur.”
“You couldn’t have known.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I should have recognized the desperation in Hamrick and warned Mischa.”
“Life is full of if only’s, my child.”
“How do you think he found out about you, Grandfather?”
“Is it really important now? With Mischa staying here, our family is safe once more.”
“How can you be so sure she’ll stay?”
He gave her a sly smile. “You still doubt me?”
She lifted her head to peek up at him with a smile of her own. “It’s not doubt. Just curiosity. That day Hamrick killed me and I looked up to see you standing there with your hand out for mine, I can’t remember the last time I felt so safe. I hope Mischa feels that now.”
“If she doesn’t yet, she will. Now, come. Let us leave these two alone. They have a destiny to discover.”
“You know, he really is smug sometimes.” Mischa placed the hand-picked flowers on Rianna’s grave. She patted the stems into place and sat down on the fresh cut grass next to the marble tombstone. “Someone takes very good care of you.” From behind her, she sensed Rhad’s presence, but he stood back, allowing her the time she needed to talk with her sister for the final time.
“He wants me to stay with him, Rianna.” She rested her hands back behind her and looked up at the sky. “I’d convinced myself that Boston is where I belong, but now, being here with him, I just don’t know.”
She wiped the tears from her eyes. “He makes me feel…alive again. Could I really be falling in love with a vampire? You always said I was the level-headed one. This certainly doesn’t sound very level-headed, does it?” In spite of the pain in her heart, Mischa had to laugh.
Her name floated on the wind, and she looked down at the valley where the bright green grass and blue flowers waved in the wind. Dusk had barely touched the sky, but Rhad was already climbing the hill towards her.
“That’s my cue, Rianna.” She laid her palm atop the tombstone. “He said we wouldn’t have long. A storm is coming in or so he says. Personally, I don’t see it, but I’m not about to test his knowledge now.” She stood and brushed off the seat of her pants.
“I’ll miss you.” She shot a look over her shoulder just as Rhad reached the knoll behind her. “As much uncertainty as I have about my life, one thing I am sure of. He wants me to stay. And I guess I want to stay, too. Well, I guess that makes two things.”
Through a hazy cloud of tears, she pressed a kiss to her fingertips and touched the cool marble again. “I love you, Rianna. Always have. Always will.”
And I love you.
The soft voice jerked Mischa’s head upright, and the silvery white form glowing in front of her still Rhad’s progress.
“Rianna! I thought I wouldn’t see you again!” Irrationally, she wanted to hug her sister.
You’re not supposed to be seeing me now, but I snuck out. And I brought along someone who wanted to meet you.”
An ethereal hand reached out, connected with one just as transparent, before an elderly man with stooped shoulders came into view.
Tears flooded Mischa’s eyes. “Grandfather?”
Your sister is correct. We should not be here.” He gave Rianna a warning look. But she is also correct in that I wanted to meet you. You look so much like your mother. Just like Rianna.
Mischa hiccupped and laughed at the same time. “I never thought I’d see you.” She touched the air where her sister and grandfather stood together. “Papa told us so much about you. I wish I could have met you. Hugged you. Told you I love you.” The words came so fast, they melded together.
I love you as well, my child. I always have. You and Rianna were always the bright lights in my universe. Though our lives are separated by death, the love remains. Your sister and I will be a part of you forever.
Rianna looked over her shoulder. Uh-oh. We have to go. She waved her hand at Mischa. Can you believe there are still rules in the afterlife? What kind of a deal is that? Oh, before I forget, that Hamrick fellow bought the farm before he even made it to the hospital. I watched to make sure he wasn’t coming back.”
“Rianna, you didn’t hurt him did you?” Mischa wasn’t quite sure how much damage a ghost could do, but the thought of her sister harming anyone was a foreign concept.
“Hurt him? Exactly how do you think I could do that, Sis? Never mind. No, I didn’t hurt him. I wouldn’t waste the small amount of energy I have to touch that guy. I’d rather save it so I can see you.”
Mischa couldn’t remember her sister ever being so sentimental. Tears leaked in long, running streams down her cheeks.
“Anyway, Rianna blew a kiss, we’re never far away, and we’ll always be watching. Well, except for when you and Rhad…
Come along, Rianna. Their grandfather’s voice held a stern note.
Amidst a flurry of waving hands and blowing kisses, Mischa waved goodbye to her sister and her grandfather, her heart both heavy and full.
Rhad finally joined her on the top of the hill, hooking an arm around her waist. “Now you know she’ll never be far away from you.”
“Is she really gone? I mean, will I be able to see her again? Can you still see her?” Mischa had if there was even the remotest of possibilities Rianna could still participate in her life no matter how.
“Her essence is, but they’ve traveled beyond my sight.” He turned her in his arms. “But the two of you will always be a part of each other.”
“It helps to know she’s not alone.” Mischa laughed and swiped at the dampness on her cheeks. ‘How crazy does that sound? I mean, I want her to be alive, but if she has to be dead, I’m glad my grandfather is with her. She still sounds like Rianna, like she’s just in another country or something. And she sounded almost happy.”
As she rattled on, Rhad rested his chin atop her head, letting her get everything she wanted to say, couldn’t say to Rianna, out of her system.
“I just wish I’d asked her if I could see her again, if she can leave the country. Is she trapped here? When she said she’ll be watching, will I know when she is? See? I have so many questions, and there just wasn’t enough time.”
“She may not live in this realm, Mischa, but she can still exist here. Her spirit lives inside you, and by living your life to the fullest, you’ll allow her to experience all that she didn’t.”
Mischa rested her forehead against his chest, holding onto his biceps. The feel of his hardness against her palms, the reassuring strength of his arms around her, took the edge off the pain encasing her heart.
“Let’s go home.” Rhad made the suggestion a demand before his fingers tangled with hers, and he began walking.
The winds shifted, and thunder rumbled in the distance. She held onto this strange, enigmatic vampire at her side and allowed Boston to slide from her mind. Soon, it would be nothing more than a faded memory, one of little more than busy streets, a lonely apartment, and takeout dinners on even lonelier evenings.
Here she had a chance at something more. Though the journey had brought her pain, it had given her an opportunity to find the one missing part of her life. As the tears rained down her cheeks, she looked over her shoulder and whispered. “I forgot, Rianna. Thank Grandfather for bringing me here.”
The wind whispered a response then she saw the castle over the horizon. And much more than that. She saw home.
About Rachel Carrington
; Rachel Carrington began her career writing fantasy romances of powerful wizards and wicked witches. Since then, she has branched out into contemporary romance and romantic suspense and has had books published with Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Red Sage Publishing, and more.
Currently, a freelance editor/writer residing in historical Charleston, South Carolina, Rachel has written non-fiction articles for Absolute Write, The Writer’s Journal, Writing for Dollars, Writer’s Magazine, and Writer’s Weekly.
Because she likes staying busy, Rachel has also taught classes for Suite 101 and for author groups regarding promoting, writing, starting your own business, and editing.
When not writing, Rachel loves to read romantic suspense (Lisa Gardner and Roxanne St. Claire are two of her favorites), rework old furniture, cross-stitch, cook, and drink lots of coffee.
Rachel’s website is www.dawnrachel.com, and she’s also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rachelcarringtonwrites, on Twitter at rcarrington2004, and Pinterest at rcarrington2004.
Vampires Destined Series
Three vampires. Separate destinies. All desiring a woman to love them for who they are not what they are.
Book I
Vampire Cursed
Buy your copy today at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Cursed-Vampires-Destined-ebook/dp/B0080H5W1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336705620&sr=8-1
Cursed to live alone. Existing as cold, soulless vampire. His life is no longer his own.
Nathaniel, Duke of Lehr, has been waiting for someone to love, a woman to break the witch’s curse that holds him captive within the walls of his own home. For only unfettered, unconditional love will sever the ties binding him to a reality he abhors.
Abby’s been drawn to Castle Lehr for a long time. She wants an interview with the elusive owner, a chance for a big break in journalism. But the story isn’t one she can write about in the newspaper.
One moment, one connection, is all it takes for Nathaniel to realize his heart will be forever bound to Abby’s, but could she ever trust a vampire much less love one?
Vampire Forgotten (Vampires Destined 2) Page 9