Robert saw the concern mixed with doubt on Tremaine’s expression. “You don’t seem so sure of that.”
“Trust me, she can handle herself better than either of you.” Tremaine took a deep breath and pushed both hands through his hair. He gave Preston a long look. “You ready for another jump?
“Yeah. I don’t want that vampire getting his fangs in Liz, regardless of what she might do.” Preston closed his eyes and started chanting. When he opened them, they were glowing an iridescent blue. He pivoted in his spot and lifted his hands. “Elizandra Delacroix,” he whispered as gold, red and blue glittering specks whirled around above his palms.
Preston blew the particles and they sped forward, illuminating a path. He glanced at Robert. “Don’t mind me if I puke on you.”
Robert nodded as he grabbed both Tremaine and Preston’s arms. “You’ll be forgiven. Hold on.”
* * * *
All Liz could smell was the ocean. There was another castle, on a small island, standing before her.
She shoved at Edmond who set her on her feet, and she heard the spark as he jerked back. “You brought me to an island? Are you mad?” She might have shouted her question.
The vampire snorted. “You wanted proof. This was the only way to give you peace of mind that I’m not the monster the Council claims,” he said sadly. “Please, if you want to see, come this way.” He swept his arm toward the huge iron door.
With a groan, she lifted her skirts and stepped through the door that he pulled open. “Lead the way, but know that if you so much as touch me, you’ll lose that hand.”
He chuckled. “Oh, you’ve made that impression. I don’t think you’re completely in control of your magic, and will have no problem roasting me if I do anything out of hand.”
“Got that right,” she muttered.
He took a torch from the wall and led her through the stone entryway and down a corridor. This building didn’t have modern amenities. It was built much like the European castles she studied in history.
“I do apologize. Your friends found us. They didn’t seem too happy.”
“You have no idea,” she admitted.
For several minutes they walked through a labyrinth of halls, until they came to a trap door. He pulled it open and handed her the torch.
Bowing low, Edmond said, “After you, my lady.”
“An explanation would be wonderful right now,” Liz muttered as she climbed down the stairs. The smell of rot and infection filled her nose.
They didn’t have to go any further. She could already imagine a child dying of some horrendous disease, or illness, rotting them from the inside out.
She closed her eyes, and tried to ignore her rolling stomach. The sound of his feet hitting the floor behind her echoed down the hall.
“You’re changing children that are dying,” she said in a flat voice.
“Come, see Rosemary. Tell me if you understand why I’m doing this.”
Liz already did. Even without seeing she knew why he was doing it, but she didn’t argue. Maybe she’d see something that would help her convince Tremaine that this vampire wasn’t evil.
He led her to a door that he opened. The odor was so strong it nearly brought her to her knees, but she pushed herself to step into the room.
The child was frail, her skin eaten away by open sores filled with oozing puss. The cloth appeared to stick her body. She wanted to turn away, but she wouldn’t. Not until this was over.
Edmond moved to the bed and sat beside Rosemary. “Do you want the pain to end?”
“Yes,” she croaked.
“Do you want to live?” he asked softly.
“Yes.”
He took Rosemary’s tiny wrist, his fangs piercing her flesh, but the girl never made a sound besides her labored breathing which slowed to a crawl by the time he dropped her hand.
Edmond tore his wrist open and placed the wound over her cracked lips. The drops of blood healed the skin underneath, but she didn’t drink at first. The blood dripped into her mouth, until she finally swallowed.
Then Rosemary sucked in a breath, her hands clasping onto his wrist as she lifted her head to latch onto his flesh. She drank. Her skin smoothed out, her hair filling, and her body plumping up.
As the blood mended her body, Edmond looked back. “I’ve tried giving her my blood to heal her wounds, but that wasn’t enough. Sometimes, I’m able to find a way to cure them. Mostly, I run out of time. She would have died.”
“I understand. You gave her a chance the only way you could.”
“I did, just like the rest,” he said softly.
“And if she had said no, you would have let her go.”
“I would have. She would not have been the first to prefer death.” He closed his eyes. “I do my best to make them understand what they will become. I don’t force this choice. It is my last resort.”
“I’ll make sure my friends understand. Though I suggest bringing me back to them before they find this place.”
The girl finally let go as she collapsed onto the bed. Edmond turned to her. “This next part, Rosemary, it will be painful. Please forgive me for that.”
“I have survived worse,” she whispered.
Edmond nodded, but before Liz could turn to leave, he was standing before her. “You’re right, we should hurry.”
“You should feed,” she said, looking into his eyes.
“Not from you.” He smiled back. “I do not drink from anyone not quite human. It can be quite intoxicating, and at this stage of the hunger, I will not risk it.”
She took a deep breath. “Very well, but can I suggest that you find a new home. The Silver Council won’t like my conclusion, but I know I can convince Tremaine this is the right decision.”
Edmond nodded. “I never stay after I bring a child back from the brink of death. They need to start fresh in a different part of the world, without the ties to their past.”
“If you want the council to leave you alone, burn this place down.” She took a deep breath. “Disappear for a while, let them think you are really dead.”
“That was my plan, but if it will make it easier for you, I will make sure the ruin of the castle looks believable.” He placed his hand over his heart. “You have my word.
She smiled. “I can honestly say that I’m pleased to have met you.”
Bowing, he took her hand, placing a kiss. “The pleasure is mine.” With that he swept her into his arms and carried her into the night.
* * * *
Tremaine stood at the edge of the beach. He feared he was wrong and something had gone horribly wrong. The trail had disappeared. He spun back to find Preston on his hands and knees heaving his guts. Robert was pacing through the sand.
There were no words of encouragement. He had failed, and he wanted to wail to the heavens. He made a stupid mistake and Liz was gone.
“Robert,” Preston groaned. “Stop walking past me, you’re making the nausea worse.”
Robert halted, but he threw his head back and screamed. At least they were far from anyone or anything. No one would notice three men losing their heads.
An unnatural breeze brought Tremaine’s head up. Liz stood before him, her hair wild and tangled as it whipped around her.
Preston started chanting.
“Don’t,” Liz said. “Just hear me out.”
“He took you,” Robert yelled as he stormed in front of her, and took her arms in a firm grasp. “He took you, Liz. You could be dead now.”
Her hands landed on her hips as she glared back at Robert. “I’m not. I’m a little windblown, but that’s it. I’m fine.”
Tremaine shoved Robert out of the way and pulled Liz into a hug. She leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder. “You scared the hell out of me, Liz. I was beginning to think I had made a huge mistake in letting you play the bait.”
Her laugh was nervous. “I’m fine, Trem. I promise I’m fine. I even have a good explanation.”
�
�That doesn’t sound promising,” Robert snapped.
Her gaze whipped to him. “You had better stop. Edmond has a perfectly good reason to change these children. They would be dead otherwise. You didn’t see the shape Rosemary was in.” She shook her head, anguish twisting her expression into something sad and heartbreaking. “She was nearly gone, her skin eaten away by some illness. When he asked if she wanted to live, she said yes, and he changed her. Can you fault him for breaking the rules to give these children a chance at life?”
Preston threw his hands up, his eyes wide. “They’re children forever. They’ll never become an adult. How will they ever accomplish anything?”
“Yeah, well, she wouldn’t have been a child for more than a few more hours. It was that or death. You tell me which is worse? A child who wants to live and will choose, and she did make that choice, to stay a child, or one who withers away and dies when she wants to live?
Tremaine had already started to suspect that was Edmond’s motivation. He let out the breath he’d been holding. “Then we’ll ask him to leave.”
“I’ve already made that suggestion,” Liz answered icily, her gaze flicking to Robert. “He gave me his word he would make it look as if he died in the fire.”
Tremaine nodded, a grin spreading on his face. “That should work well. In the morning we can write the report and then we’ll find something to do for the rest of the summer, unless you all want to go home.”
“No,” Liz answered much too quickly. Her expression softened as she turned to Robert. “If we go home, then we have to go back to how it was before we even figure this out.”
Robert closed the distance, his hands tangling in her hair as he tipped her head back and peered into her eyes. “There’s nothing to figure out. You scared me, but you’re safe. You did what I don’t think I could have done.”
“What’s that?” she asked softly.
“You waited to find out the circumstances before passing judgment.”
Tremaine was right. This was the perfect mission for them. Preston proved he could work with people and that his talents would be of great use. Robert learned to trust Liz, even at the hardest times. Liz proved that she had what it takes to dig until she found what was right and what wasn’t.
Chapter 8
Sixty-five years ago.
Robert sat in their new home. They were working together, and for now, it made sense for them to live together.
Wilhelm paid for the house, gifting it to Robert, with the intention of it going to both Robert and Liz as soon as Robert asked Liz to marry him.
Wilhelm and Tremaine both gave him permission to propose to Liz. Now he needed the guts to ask her.
She burst through the door, her eyes locking on his. “Can you believe they made us a team?” Liz asked with a bright smile. She plopped down on the couch next to him. “A real team, and we have a place to call home”
Robert smiled back, but he wasn’t happy. The assignment was perfect. The why, not at all. He still couldn’t believe that Maynard Fanning told him he needed to keep an eye on Liz to make sure she didn’t go rogue. After all their hard work, they still thought so poorly of her. He didn’t understand.
Preston stopped at the bar and grabbed a bottle of scotch. “I propose a toast.” He lined up three glasses and poured a couple fingers in each. “To a long career as enforcers.” He raised his glass.
Liz leaned forward and took hers. “To our careers.”
Robert chimed in with, “To us.”
Liz turned back to him, her eyes lit up. She tipped back the drink and gulped it down.
His brow arched as he took a sip. He set the glass down, and Liz leaned in to kiss him long and deep. Her lips were soft and warm. He’d managed all this time to hold back and only taste her mouth from time to time, but he was a dying man and she was his water.
Preston choked out, “I have a date. I’ll be back in the morning.”
Robert broke the kiss. “Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck.” Preston waggled his brows before leaving them alone.
Liz stood and started for her room. “I suggest,” she said over her shoulder, “that you follow.” She slid her jacket off her shoulders and tossed it onto the chair as she stepped into her room.
When she turned around, she found him barely an inch away. Her hands went to the first button of her dress.
Robert caught her wrists as he looked into her eyes. His voice shook, “What are you doing, Liz.”
“We’ve waited forever, and now that we’re here, I want to make love to you.” Her words were breathless, almost timid and Liz was rarely timid.
His fingers threaded into her hair as he closed the distance. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her hands landing on his chest. “Please.”
He dipped his head, bringing his lips against hers as his tongue swept into her mouth. He’d never get enough of her taste. She pulled back enough to start undoing his buttons.
Robert pulled away, taking her hands. “Slow down, Liz. I want this to be perfect.”
She caught her lip between her teeth, her eyes wide and darkened. He shut off the light and whispered a spell that lit up the candles scattered throughout her room.
He heard her gasp. She sucked in a breath as he opened the first button of her dress.
“Are you sure this is what you want, Liz?” Robert asked, his voice was husky and he was barely holding onto his control.
“More than anything,” she answered.
“Then let me show you how much I love you,” he whispered against her ear as he made quick work of the rest of the buttons. He slid the dress from her shoulders and down her arms. It fluttered to the floor in a heap. He took a step back, his eyes raking over the silk slip that covered her long lean body, her perky breasts, her softly flared hips.
Moving closer, he brought his hands down her ribs, her waist, hips and thighs to the bottom of the silk. He took the hem and slowly lifted it from her body.
She stood there, staring back at him, a smirk forming on her lips. “Now, this is hardly fair. I want to see you as badly as you want to see me, Robert.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” he practically groaned as he took a step back and opened his shirt. She was stunning, her soft skin a feast for his eyes. He wanted to taste every inch of her body.
His hands trembled as he removed his shirt, then his belt, before pushing his pants down his legs where he kicked off the rest of the barriers. She stood there in a pair of underwear he was itching to pull from her body while she watched him with desire filled eyes.
He took a deep breath before removing his boxers.
“Mmm,” she murmured, her gaze locked on his hardened flesh. Her fingers dipped under the waistband of her panties, sliding them down her legs.
Robert was almost disappointed. He had wanted to do that, but he was barely holding back. She kicked them off and took a step back to the bed.
“Liz,” he whispered, following her. “I’ll be gentle.”
* * * *
Liz almost froze at the sincere promise Robert had uttered. One brief glimpse into her past flashed through her mind before she forced it back.
Robert’s hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his body. Hard muscle from their workouts, soft skin, and the light hair on his body felt like heaven against her.
His lips grazed her ear. “You are exquisite, Liz. You feel like fine silk.” He trailed light kisses down her throat as he laid her back on the bed, his body sliding against hers, sending shivers down her spine.
There was only Robert and the way he lovingly touched her. The whole world slid away as his hands trailed up her body to cup her breasts.
Her head fell back as his mouth left a damp trail of sensation to one pink tip. His tongue circled the sensitized bud before closing over it.
“Robert,” she gasped as he gently sucked. Sensation flowed through her, and her hips rocked against his thigh. Anothe
r wave of pleasure swept through her at the friction. “Please,” she whimpered.
“Liz,” he groaned. “I’ve wanted to taste you for as long as I can remember. Please let me.”
“Taste?” she squeaked as he licked his way to her other nipple. She ground her throbbing heat against his thigh, his length a hot brand against her hip.
He sucked, and gently nipped her taut peak. “Calm down, I don’t want to hurt you.”
She was already aching for him. He nibbled a trail down her ribs and her hand tangled in his hair, trying to pull his mouth back to hers.
He chuckled against her belly. “Trust me, please.”
“I need you,” she whined, her hips restless as she tried to rub against him, but he was crawling down her body. His hands pushed her thighs open.
For one second, fear flashed through her, but then his lips grazed over her inner thigh and she calmed, forgetting every reason she should be nervous. His nose brushed against her slick folds and her head fell back on a groan.
“You smell delicious.”
“You’re crazy,” she whimpered.
She felt his tongue against her bead of nerves. “Robert,” she cried.
He looked up her body, his eyes locking on hers. “Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head.
“Should I stop?”
“No,” she gasped and then he teased her with the tip of his tongue as his finger edged her entrance. So slowly, he pushed into her. Her inner walls clamped down on him, but she was so wet his finger glided into her.
“Please, more,” she whimpered as he withdrew. “Please.”
He pushed back into her, sucking and licking at the top of her sex. And then he slid another finger into her, stretching her as he worked her body.
The pleasure built until she couldn’t see as it washed over her. She lay there, an incoherent blissed out lump on the bed.
* * * *
Robert could taste her desire on his tongue. From what he had managed to get out of Preston, he’d brought her over the edge. He was so sure he was going to hurt her the first time, but he hadn’t.
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