Bethany watched with her mouth hanging open while Amanda poured a cup of coffee.
Amanda searched the refrigerator for milk or cream. Finding a container, she opened it and took a sniff just to make sure it was still fresh. She judged it marginal and poured some into her cup. It was only after taking a long sip that she noticed Bethany staring at her.
“Amanda we need to talk.” Bethany pulled out a chair for herself and sat down across from her best friend. It was noon when Amanda finished telling her what had transpired since meeting up with Christian in Ross’s office.
Bethany had moved only once, to pour them both warmers. When Amanda finished, she felt cleansed and free of what had been such a bizarre secret. She tried to read Beth’s face. Their friendship had survived a lot, but she would not blame her if she thought she was crazy. At the moment, she wasn’t sure herself.
Bethany reached over and touched her arm. “If it wasn’t you telling me this, I would think you were totally crazy, but I know you, and I met all the players, except Gabrielle and Tony, and I would have to say they did seem a little different.”
Amanda finished her second cup of coffee. She felt lost and unsure of what nightfall would bring. Now she had exposed her best friend to a world that she still wasn’t sure she believed in herself and made Beth privy to a robbery and a murder.
Bethany convinced her to have breakfast and made her famous French toast with bacon while they talked. As they ate, Amanda began to feel like her old self again. After breakfast, she took a hot shower and tried to sleep. Bethany offered one of her sleeping pills, but Amanda hesitated until Bethany explained that she only took them toward the end of tax season, just to take the edge off. Amanda took one and laid down on her bed, setting her alarm for five o’clock. Bethany had to go to work but promised to check in later. Amanda felt the drug pull her under and wondered if Christian had made it till dawn.
Something tickled his face. Something warm with a frenetic pulse. Christian opened his eyes in the darkness and grabbed at the rat sniffing his face. The creature squealed as he drained it. When he finished, he tossed it against the wall with a thud. His watch face glowed in the darkness; seven o’clock. Christian sat up; he felt weak from lack of blood. Then he remembered the battle and Gaétan’s death. If he could get home, Tony or Michel would feed him. But he could barely stand up. It seemed to take forever to put his machete back in its sheath.
As he crawled towards the rotted doors, he sensed vampires hovering in the darkness. As hunger blinded him he pushed his way out into the darkness.
“Oh my god.” Michel pulled his best friend up from the ground and brushed his matted hair away from his face. “You’re alive.”
“I’m so hungry.” Christian whispered, clinging to his best friend.
In one fluid motion, Michel drew a tiny, silver dagger out of his black jacket. He sliced his chest and pulled Christian toward him. Christian put his arms around Michel and latched onto his chest.
When he no longer felt lightheaded, Christian forced himself to stop.
“What is it, Gabrielle?” Michel asked, buttoning his jacket up.
She shook her head as if shaking off sleep or a trance. “I never thought I would see the two of you again, let alone like this …”
Michel put his arm around Christian to steady him. Gabrielle tried to help but Christian refused her. As they walked through the park, Christian recounted what had happened to Gaétan. Michel suggested that a party was in order. As they approached the house, Christian noticed Tony in the window, a worried look on his young face. Christian knew the boy had nowhere else to go and had probably not slept all night.
Once safely at home, Tony rambled on about how he and Amanda had searched the park for him all morning, and then explained that she had gone home afterward. They had planned to rendezvous at dusk, but she had not called or shown up. Christian called her as he headed upstairs to the bathroom, but he got her voice mail and left a message. Tony ran ahead into the bathroom and turned on the bathwater, adjusting it to the temperature he knew Christian liked while dumping in some bath salts.
Christian tossed his cell phone on the bed and told Tony what had happened to Gaétan.
“So that means everything is okay now? Is Gabrielle staying here?”
“Would you like that, Tony?”
Tony shrugged as he stood watching the lean vampire slip out of his tattered shirt and dirty black jeans. He slid into the hot water and moaned in relief. He knew Tony was glad he was home safe.
Amanda woke with a jolt.
Oh shit, what time is it?
Rolling over she checked her cell phone. It was eight thirty. Her body hurt like she had a case of the flu, and her mouth tasted like cotton. She had several missed calls and four messages.
The first was from Bethany, who was calling to check in on her and hoped she was okay. She said she would come home if Amanda needed her to otherwise she was going to stay over at Jeff’s place.
Anticipating the next message, she tried to sit up, as a wave of nausea hit her. Not sure if it was the pill or lack of sleep, she lay back down. The room began to spin. She closed her eyes as his voice filled her senses, soothing her and easing her pain. Was it supernatural power or love that made her feel like putty in his hands?
“Amanda, where are you? It’s Christian. I’m alive and okay … Gaétan is dead. I’m going to get cleaned up. Call me please. I love you.”
She replayed the message too many times to count.
The next two messages were from Christian, who was growing more and more panicked.
She decided to clean up before calling him back. Just as she had managed to get herself into the shower, she heard her doorbell ring.
Amanda grabbed her extravagant Christmas purchase off the door hook—a floor-length floral robe from her favorite department store. After quickly towel-drying her hair she ran barefoot to the front door.
“Just a minute.” She peered through the eye hole. “Oh, my God,” she cried, pushing and twisting the numerous locks on her apartment door. It crashed back against the wall as Christian stormed in.
Before she could respond, he had picked her up and was carrying her back into the bathroom. He slipped off his leather coat and let it fall to the floor. Unbuttoning his shirt, he pulled it over his head and tossed it to the floor as well. His white body was flawless, and his low cut jeans rested just right on his thin hips. He loosened the machete and set it down on the floor.
“All I could think about when faced with my death was losing you.”
“What are you doing?” She asked as he reached in and turned on the shower.
“Taking a shower.” He moved past her. “Will you be joining me?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“IF I DIDN’T know you better, Michel, I would say that you are drunk.” Amanda laughed as he took her in his arms, dancing with her. She and Christian had just arrived at the Grey Wolf, and Amanda could feel the difference in the atmosphere. Even Sabin was smiling at the news that Gaétan was dead.
“Stay close to Christian tonight.” Michel whispered, pulling her close.
She wasn’t sure if she understood what he was saying, though she sensed his unease.
“What are you so nervous about, Michel? Gaétan is dead.” He spun her around, smiling, though his eyes were serious.
“When the shit hits the fan, she will go after you. Christian will try to stop her. Let me be the decoy.”
At first Amanda had no idea what he was talking about and then it hit her. He was speaking about Solange. She smiled up at him sensing Christian was watching them. She pretended they were speaking about nothing.
“What are you trying to say?” She asked, but she already knew in her heart.
“That I owe him more than I can ever repay.” He twirled her again and pulled her close to him. “Christian is the noblest man I have ever known, living or dead. Do you understand me?”
Amanda nodded and wondered what it must ha
ve been like for him to father a child he could not raise with a woman he could never claim for himself. She wondered if Christian knew or at least suspected. But before she could ask he led her off the dance floor.
“You must be Amanda,” Peter pressed his hand into hers.
Gabrielle and Eve eyed each other with a look between women that was universal, no matter the time or place. They were both dressed in beautiful, low-cut black dresses and were vying to be queen of the ball. Amanda found them both beautiful and elegant, and tried not to compare herself to them.
“Come, dance with me, pretty lady.” Christian pressed his hand into hers and pulled her out onto the dance floor. Now that Gaétan was dead, they had their future ahead of them. In time she knew she could move beyond Detective Ross’s death, the robbery at the museum, and Ryan’s murder and finally get on with her life. She smiled up at him as he spun her around then pulled her close. The electronic club music was loud and discordant, but she felt calm and safe with him.
All was well, since Gaétan was dead. She would probably never be able to reconcile that monster with her friend Thomas, but in time, he would become just a memory, like the monsters that had murdered her brother. Amanda had never remembered crying so much over a man, but when Christian had come back to her unharmed her relief made her break down and sob.
They had just walked off the dance floor when her cell phone rang. She explained to Christian that it was Bethany and that she was going to call her back outside, rather than send a text message. There was just too much to tell her.
“What is it?” Amanda asked, noticing the look on his face.
“Nothing,” he lied and forced a smile. “Make your call, but hurry back.”
He watched her disappear into the crowd with a knot in his stomach. Though logically he knew that Gaétan was dead, what about Solange? When her lover didn’t return to her, would she eventually come looking for him? Christian had always told himself he would kill her now, but he had not seen her since he had left London. Would he be able to maintain his steel resolve?
She’s here already. I can feel her.
“You need to relax, my friend.” Michel said with a wink and picked up a strand of Christian’s hair. “How did your hair get all wet again?”
He tried to smile. “I don’t kiss and tell, Michel.”
Christian tried to read Michel’s face. Did he seem antsy and on edge, or was Christian projecting his own fears onto his friend?
Did he father her?
“Michel,” he whispered, suddenly feeling brave.
“So, I suppose you no longer need my services,” Eve interrupted, speaking to Christian. She turned her back to Michel and tried to get Christian’s undivided attention, but Michel cut in between them.
“You know, Eve, if I didn’t hate you so much, I could really love you.” He blew her a kiss.
Eve snarled back at the beautiful vampire before turning her attention to Peter, who was holding court with a couple of Goths at the other end of the bar.
“Boy is she barking up the wrong tree,” Michel laughed, slipping behind the bar. His attention was drawn to a petite blonde with streaks of red and blue in her long hair. Christian studied the scene. He felt stronger and more focused since taking Amanda’s blood again. He would give her just a few more minutes and then go looking for her. Bored, he began to flip through his received calls while he waited for Amanda to return. Ross’s number came up and he hit send before remembering that Ross was dead.
Amanda had just hung up with Bethany when the couple brushed passed her. Something about their dress made her think they were foreigners. Amanda stepped aside to let them by, and suddenly she felt as if she were in danger. She tried to rush past them and back inside, but the man blocked her path.
“Amanda Perretti?” The woman spoke, with a thick British accent though her lips didn’t seem to move. Amanda never would have mistaken her for Christian’s or Gaétan’s child. There was something about her jaw, the shape of her face and her high cheekbones and Amanda knew there was no mistaking it. She was Michel’s child.
“Yes.” She tried acting nonchalant, but she knew who they were and why they were in New York. She looked from the woman to the man who towered over her. He stared down at Amanda with bottomless eyes, and she knew they were both vampires.
The woman gestured at Amanda to walk away from the club toward the alley that ran the length of the building. They each came up beside her but said nothing. Before they had gotten too far, Amanda’s cell phone rang.
Amanda reached into her pocket. “It’s my … boyfriend … I’d better answer it.”
The woman grabbed the phone right out of her hand. “Hello father, how are you? It has been such a long time.”
“What is it you want Solange?”
“Your head on a stick…”
Solange snapped the phone closed and dropped it on the sidewalk then crushed it.
Amanda took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. Asking who they were and what they wanted was a waste of energy. She knew who they were and they realized that she was not surprised.
Grabbing Amanda by the arm, they continued down the alley. When they reached the end of the driveway, Augustin grabbed her around the waist and jumped. Before she could let out a scream, they had landed on the roof top of the club.
Solange pulled out her dagger and Amanda flashed back to last summer and her brother’s murder. Solange slowly began circling her like a shark honing in on its prey. The wind began to pick up and Amanda wished she had her coat. Suddenly she came closer flashing her knife.
Solange snarled but Augustin stepped between them, pushing Solange away from the girl.
“Solange, this was not our plan.”
“Look at her, she’s … she’s pathetic. I should drain her precious blood myself.”
“No, Solange.” He replied in a heavy French accent. Amanda tried to get a read on him. She guessed that they were lovers and that she had convinced him to come to New York with her to find Gaétan.
Solange snarled at Augustin as he pushed her back, and Amanda felt her sorrow and her rage.
“Where is Gaétan you little twit?”
“Gaétan is dead. He thought he controlled the blood, but it controlled him, an immortal obsession I suppose and it won out in the end.”
Solange stormed past Augustin again with her dagger raised.
Amanda tried to get away from her as Augustin turned to block the blow, but it was too late. Amanda heard herself scream as Solange sliced her arm through her blouse. At first she felt nothing, but as she glanced down at her arm and saw dark liquid oozing and dripping onto the ground she felt faint. Solange licked the dagger’s blade as if she were kissing a lover, her lips caressing it and lapping up all traces of the mortal’s blood.
Amanda hid behind Augustin. She knew he was the more rational one and might try to protect her, despite the fact that he was Solange’s and would do anything she asked of him. They had come all the way from Paris for her and would stop at nothing. She felt a slight shift in the air and noticed Christian perched silently on a far roof top.
Chapter Thirty
CHRISTIAN SNIFFED THE air, the scent of her blood filling up his senses. His skin crawled at seeing Solange lick her knife. A vampire he did not recognize guarded his beloved with a sword. It had been so long since he had seen Solange. He fought the feelings of hatred and guilt that rose up equally, blinding him. They were arguing over Amanda, speaking mainly in French. He knew that Amanda’s blood was tantalizing to her as well. No vampire could resist it. Though he had tried to fight the pull, he could not resist her either. He had always thought himself a practical man, yet the fantasies of ruling the Parisian vampires had begun filling his head.
Be strong, Amanda. Do not show them you are afraid.
Augustin had forced Amanda to the ground and was holding his sword over her. If any of them tried to rescue her, he would kill her instantly. They were so focused on Amanda that they did n
ot sense him as he slowly came toward them in the darkness, his machete sharp and glistening. He had ten minutes before Michel would also strike.
Is it the blood that keeps me hidden?
He focused on the sound of his leather coat flapping in the breeze and not on Amanda, pale and bleeding on the ground. The wound was deep, but she would live if that was all they did to her. Augustin argued for leaving now while they had Amanda, but Solange, fueled by both her hatred of her father and now Gaétan’s death, wanted her revenge. They continued to argue as Christian came closer.
Something made her turn at the last moment, just as Christian was upon them.
Solange hissed and brandished her weapon at the man she called her father. “So, we finally meet again, Papa.”
“This is between us, Solange. Let her go.” His voice boomed in the darkness. Augustin raised his sword over Amanda.
Christian looked into the eyes of his daughter. He remembered what an elegant, kind woman she had been until she had been turned and poisoned by Gaétan, who had filled her head with lies about him. Some things were beyond repair. No matter how much time passed between them, it could not heal the deep chasm. Time had fed it, allowing their pain to grow and take shape into something ineffable and beyond grief. He had loved her so much, and had lived his life trying to protect her.
If Josette could see her now, she would be sick. What if she could see me now?
She laughed, and Christian felt his rage building. “You can’t be serious, Father. She’s the goose that laid the golden egg.”
“I am not your father.” Christian declared, staring into her empty eyes as she approached him.
“Why should I believe you?” She snarled, stopping just a few feet away from him and pointing back at Amanda. “So you can save her?”
“Josette led me to believe I had fathered you, and until recently I had no reason to doubt her. Now I am not sure what to believe.”
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