Night's Kiss

by Amanda Ashley

  He laughed softly. "Do you think this is some sort of vampire glamour, that underneath my outward appearance I'm nothing but a rotting corpse?"

  Her eyes widened. "Are you?"

  He dismissed her fear with a wave of his hand. "Most assuredly not."

  "I did not really think so," she said, relief evident in her tone as well as her expression. "So much of what I read sounds like foolishness."

  "For instance?" He braced one shoulder against the doorjamb, willing to give her all the time she needed.

  "Well, one of the books said that if you want to find a vampire, you should take a horse, either all white or all black, into the graveyard and let it walk among the graves. If the horse refuses to step over a grave, then the body inside is a vampire."

  Roshan nodded. He didn't know if that was true or not, but he knew from experience that animals avoided him.

  Brenna shook her head. "The book also suggested having a virgin boy ride the horse because, being pure, both boy and beast would recoil in horror from the evil rising from the grave.

  "Another one of the books said that if I was to scatter seeds on the ground, you would have to stop to count them, either that, or pick them all up. And this one"—she gestured at the book in her lap—"says that if a vampire finds a rope tied in knots, he would have to untie every one." She frowned. "Another part says vampires can't see themselves in mirrors because they have no soul." She glanced up at him, her expression troubled. "Is that true?"

  "I don't know. Some say it's because we're no longer mortal; that, in essence, we no longer exist in the real world, therefore we have no reflection."

  "Does it bother you, that you cannot see yourself?"

  "Not anymore."

  "But it used to?"

  "It was a little unsettling at first," he admitted. "To tell you the truth, I've almost forgotten what I look like."

  "Did it make you feel as though you did not exist?"

  He nodded.

  "I thought it would."

  "You've given it some thought?" he asked, surprised.

  "I was thinking of buying a mirror a few days ago, and I wondered how I would feel if I were you, and I could not see my reflection." She looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. "Have you truly forgotten how you look?"

  "Pretty much. Not that it matters."

  "Maybe we could find someone to paint your portrait," she said, thinking aloud. "Or we could buy one of those cameras that they advertise on the television."

  Roshan grunted. "I'm not sure vampires photograph."

  "Oh. Well, you are very handsome, you know."

  "Am I?"

  She nodded.

  "I'm glad you think so."

  Flustered by the turn of their conversation, she glanced down at the book in her lap. "Can you turn into a wolf? Or a bat?"

  "A wolf, if I wish. I'm not sure I could make myself small enough to become a bat, nor can I think of any reason why I would want to."

  "But you can turn into mist. I saw you, the night the mob came for me."

  "Yes, though it took me some years to master that particular trick."

  "And will you turn to ash in the sun?"

  He nodded, remembering his recent encounter with the dawn, the excruciating pain that had seared his flesh and burned his eyes.

  She gestured at the book again. "How am I to know what is fact and what is fable?"

  "Does it matter? I am not mortal, I am not truly immortal, nor am I human in the usual sense. But I am still a man, capable of joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure."

  "If you gave your blood to someone who was sick, would it make them better?"

  "I don't know. Why do you ask?"

  She shrugged, her gaze sliding away from his. "I was just…just curious."

  "You're a terrible liar, Brenna Flanagan. What's this all about?"

  "Does it hurt to become a vampire?"

  "Not exactly."

  "What does that mean, not exactly? Either it does or it does not."

  "It's not particularly painful, but it can be frightening if you don't know what's happening or what to expect. Dammit, Brenna, what are you trying to find out? Are you sick? Do you want me to bring you across?"

  "Have you ever made anyone a vampire?"

  "Just once." It was something he rarely allowed himself to think about.

  "Where is he? Or was it a she?"

  "It was a woman." He lifted a hand, hoping to still any further questions.

  "Did you love her?"

  "No, but she fancied herself in love with me. To this day, I don't know how she discovered my true nature, but discover it she did. From then on, she begged me to make her as I was." He began to pace the floor. "I tried to avoid her, but I lived in a small village. And I was still a young vampire, impulsive, foolish. One night, to my eternal regret, I did as she asked." He took a deep breath. "It was a mistake, one I have never made again."

  "Why was it a mistake? Was she sorry after it was done?"

  "Not everyone is strong enough to endure the Dark Trick. Lilly Anna was not. She was such a gentle creature. She had no heart for the kind of life required of a vampire. She took no joy in the hunt. She anguished over every drop of blood she took, regretted every act of violence. After a few years, she went quite insane."

  "What happened to her?"

  It was the one question he had hoped she would not ask, the one question he didn't want to answer. "I set her free."

  "You killed her?"

  Pain shadowed his eyes. "I brought her across. She was my responsibility."

  Brenna stared at him, unblinking. Unbelieving. "How could you?"

  "How could I not?"

  She heard the anguish in his voice. "I am truly sorry, Roshan. That must have been very difficult for you."

  "Yes."

  "You said she found no joy in the hunt. Do you?" Her eyes were very wide and very green as she stared up at him, waiting for his answer.

  He loosed a heavy sigh, wishing she were not quite so curious, that her questions did not touch upon areas he would rather not discuss, facets of being a vampire that he would rather she didn't know. But he couldn't lie to her.

  "I am a predator," he said candidly. "We all enjoy the hunt."

  "And killing?" She grasped the edge of the book in her lap, her knuckles white. "Do you enjoy that, as well?"

  He stared back at her, wondering how best to answer such a question, wondering if the truth would drive her away. But he wanted no lies between them, not after last night.

  "I've killed in the past," he replied quietly. "As a young vampire, it is very nearly impossible not to. The thrill of the hunt, the scent of fear rising from the prey, your own feeling of invincibility, it's a heady tiling, something you can't begin to understand unless you've experienced it for yourself. And when you catch your quarry, and his blood is running hot from the chase, it's hard to remember that the puny mortal in your grasp is more than prey, hard to remember that once you were as weak and human as the creature trembling in your grasp."

  He looked down at her, his hunger rising at the images conjured by his words. Her scent filled his nostrils, reminding him of nights long ago, when it took more than a few sips to quench his thirst and ease the pain. But he had never killed any who were innocent or helpless, never preyed upon children, or those who were young and vulnerable.

  He took a deep, calming breath, then moved to stand in front of her. "What the hell is this all about?"

  She stared up at him. He looked very tall and forbidding standing there, his dark eyes focused on her face.

  "Anthony Loken," she said. "He is writing a book about vampires."

  "You were with him today?" He didn't need her to confirm it; he could smell the faint scent of the other man. He wondered that he hadn't noticed it before.

  "I went to the bookstore, to look for a book about vampires. It was only when Myra told me I'd probably have better luck at the library that I remembered how many books you have here."

/>   "And where did you meet Loken?"

  "I did not 'meet' him. He arrived at the bookstore as I was leaving and insisted I have a cup of coffee with him."

  "And you couldn't refuse?"

  Her chin went up defiantly. "At the time, I did not wish to."

  "Why is he writing about vampires?"

  "He said they are fascinating creatures. He thinks that vampire blood might be a cure for some diseases, and that it might be a way to extend human life, or even conquer death."

  "I see. And he wants to do this for the good of mankind?"

  "That is what he said, but I do not think he cares about anyone else. I think he wants only to find a way to live forever. He said he is looking for a vampire to help him with his research. That was why he was at the Nocturne last night."

  Remembering the young vampire in the club, Roshan swore softly, hoping the kid was smart enough to keep his identity a secret. Once made, most vampires seemed to know instinctively that it was to their best interests not to divulge their true nature. Of course, they also knew enough to stay out of another vampire's territory. Had Roshan been alone last night, he would have invited the young vampire to leave the city or face the consequences.

  Brenna looked at him a moment, then her eyes widened. "Do you think Loken knows about the other vampire? Do you think he wants to use him for some kind of research?"

  "He was the only other vampire in the place."

  "Loken asked me about you," she said, looking worried. "Do you think he knows what you are?"

  "No."

  "We must warn the other vampire," Brenna said earnestly, "before it is too late."

  "It might already be too late."

  "Then we must go to the Nocturne now, tonight." She rose, the book in her lap falling to the floor. "Hurry!"

  There were only a few other customers at the Nocturne when they arrived. One couple sat at the bar talking to the bartender, another couple sat at one of the tables, intent only on each other.

  The young vampire sat at a booth in the far corner. His hair was dark brown, as were his eyes. His lips were thin, his nose was crooked. He was perhaps medium height, with the lean physique of a runner. He held a drink cradled in his hands. A sniff told Roshan it wasn't wine.

  The young vampire sensed the presence of another as soon as they entered the club. He looked up, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Roshan. Lifting his glass, he took a long swallow, regarding Roshan over the rim.

  Roshan slid into the booth across from the young vampire. Brenna sat beside Roshan, her hands folded in her lap.

  "What do you want?" the young vampire asked sullenly, his gaze darting from Roshan to Brenna and back again.

  "I might ask you the same question," Roshan replied quietly.

  "What do you mean?"

  "This is my city. What are you doing here?"

  "Hey, man, I didn't know you were here."

  "Now you know. Who are you?"

  "Jimmy Dugan."

  "Where are you from?"

  "I was born in Florida. That's where I was made."

  "Who brought you across?"

  "Mara."

  Roshan grunted softly. He had never met Mara, but her name was legendary among vampires. Had their kind a queen, Mara would have worn the crown. "Why are you here?"

  Dugan stared into his glass. "I wanted to get as far away from home as I could."

  "How long have you been one of us?"

  "Just a few months."

  Roshan nodded. "Do you know a man named Loken?"

  Dugan looked up. "Sure, I met him here last night. Why?"

  "Don't trust him," Roshan said bluntly. "And get out of my city."

  "Wait! I'm supposed to meet him here later tonight."

  "If you're smart, you'll be gone before he gets here." Roshan glanced at Brenna. "Let's go."

  She slid out of the booth, and he followed her.

  "Wait!" Dugan called, a note of panic in his voice. "I need help."

  "Indeed?"

  "There's so much I don't know. Mara, she didn't tell me hardly anything."

  "Then ask her for help."

  "Dammit, man, you can't just turn your back on me. We're… we're brothers."

  "No," Roshan replied coldly. "We are enemies. And you are in my territory."

  "I don't want this life!"

  "Then end it."

  "Roshan." Brenna placed her hand on his arm. "He needs your help. Remember how it was for you?"

  He glared at her a moment, and then relented. "Come with me, Dugan."

  Roshan didn't wait for a reply, didn't wait to see if the young vampire followed him. Taking Brenna by the hand, Roshan left the club.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 15

  Jimmy Dugan grabbed his jacket and hurried after the vampire and his woman. He had known Roshan was one of the undead the moment the man stepped into the Nocturne. He had felt it in the deepest part of him. But the woman… she puzzled him. She wasn't a vampire and yet he had sensed there was something different about her, a subtle hint of supernatural power that was similar to, but not quite as strong as, the power he had sensed in the warlock who had approached him last night. Was she also a witch?

  His pace slowed as he stepped out onto the sidewalk. Was he making another mistake? How did he know he could trust Roshan? Trusting people was what had gotten him into this mess in the first place. His mother had always warned him that he was too gullible, that he saw good in everyone. Lord, if she could see him now! She had cried when he called her last night. She had begged him to come home, promised to help him out of whatever trouble he was in. But how could he go back? He didn't trust himself to be around those he loved, not now, when the lust for blood was so strong, when he didn't know his own strength. He had spent one night with a beautiful woman and it had cost him his family, his job, and his girl. Damn! He didn't want to be a vampire. He had gone to the Nocturne in hopes of finding a way to regain his humanity. What good was living forever if you couldn't live with the people you loved the most?

  He glanced up and down the street, his preternatural senses pointing him in Roshan's direction.

  He found the vampire standing in the parking lot beside a sleek black Ferrari. The woman was already in the car. She looked at him through the window with a reassuring smile.

  "Where's your car?" the vampire asked.

  "Over there," Jimmy said, pointing at a silver Intrepid.

  "Follow me."

  "Where are we going?" Jimmy asked, but the other vampire didn't answer.

  Moving to the driver's side of the Ferrari, the vampire opened the door and slid behind the wheel. A moment later, the engine purred to life.

  With an exasperated sigh, Jimmy hurried to his car, certain the vampire wouldn't wait for him to catch up.

  He followed the Ferrari for about forty minutes before the vampire pulled off the road.

  Jimmy pulled up behind the other car, his gaze darting right and left. They were in a rest area located at the south end of the city limits. He grunted with wry amusement, drinking he felt like some young gunslinger being escorted out of Dodge.

  "There's nothing to be afraid of," Jimmy muttered as he got out of the car. "You're a vampire, for crying out loud!"

  The other vampire helped the woman out of the Ferrari. Standing side by side, they waited for him.

  "Now what?" Jimmy asked. He glanced around. There was no one else in sight. Again, he wondered if he had made a mistake in coming here.

  "We talk," the other vampire said. "What do you want to know?"

  "I know sunlight will kill me. And fire. Are they the only things I have to worry about? I mean, I've seen all the movies, but all that other stuff is just a lot of crap, right?"

  "Wrong. A wooden stake through the heart will destroy you. A good hunter will stake you, cut off your head, and bury the pieces in separate graves sprinkled with salt or holy water."

  "You mean vampire hunters really exist?" Jimmy lifted a hand to his neck. He li
ked his head right where it was, thank you very much.

  "You'd better believe it. One of the best of them is Tom Duncan. If he turns up where you are, leave the place as soon as you can."

  Jimmy listened intently as the vampire explained more of what he needed to know. Much of what he said were things Jimmy had heard before or seen in movies. Funny, he had never considered that any of the vampire lore he had heard was based on fact. Hell, he had never believed that vampires or vampire hunters even existed. And now, impossible as it seemed, he was one of the undead, and all because he had let a beautiful woman seduce him. Served him right for cheating on Cathy, he thought bitterly.

  Jimmy glanced at Brenna. She didn't look much older than he was, or any more worldly wise. He shook his head, thinking they were both mixed up in something they would be better off without.

  "Is there anything else you want to know before you leave town?" the vampire asked.

  Jimmy shook his head, already reeling under the weight of everything he had just learned.

  "Why were you meeting Loken tonight?" the vampire asked.

  "I never wanted to be a vampire. He was going to help me reverse the effects of the Dark Trick."

  The vampire looked at the woman. "I thought you said he was looking for the secret of eternal life?"

  "That is what he told me. Mayhap he has also found a cure." She looked at Jimmy. "He told you he could do that, that he could make you mortal again?"

  Jimmy nodded. "He said it involved some blood tests, and then a blood exchange, a transfusion, you know? Out with the bad blood, in with the good."

  The woman and the other vampire exchanged glances.

  "There's no cure for vampirism," the vampire said flatly.

  Jimmy stared at him. "I don't believe you."

  "Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. There is no cure except the destruction of your body."

  Jimmy's shoulders sagged in defeat. "Loken was my only hope," he murmured, his voice thick with despair. "I'll never see Cathy again."

  "Is Cathy your wife?" Brenna asked.

  "My girlfriend. We were gonna to be married at the end of the year, but I told her we'd have to postpone it for a while. She thinks I'm in Chicago looking for a new job."