Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  Hortence’s brow furrowed and she clucked her tongue at Sonja’s question. “You of all people would ask me that, my dear?” Her bottom lip protruded in disgust at her student’s obvious doubt. Her voice rose to a shout as she slammed her fist on the side table sending bottles and spoons clattering. Of course I can save her. The demon’s power is in the air.” She swept her hands wide and her beady eyes bulged. “She will survive. The question is, will you?”

  “Hortence, now’s not the time for your riddles,” Sonja chided heatedly. “Briann needs your help.” With her temper rising, Sonja stalked to the window. She could feel the first prickle of wolf hairs along her neck start to rise. If she remained with the ever obstinate, elusive, totally irritating Hortence, she would be hard pressed not to lash out at the old woman.

  Her mood brought about a sudden urge to feed. With the sensation, coiling in her Sonja struggled to focus. Blinking she tried to clear her vision. Attendants started lighting the gaslights.

  Below in the middle of the street stood a man dressed in a black broadcloth suit who reminded her of someone. The realization struck her with the force of a lightning bolt. Sonja stumbled back. Ty caught her as she fell.

  The flash of light, which followed threatened to blind them both. Sonja gripped Ty’s vest front. Unable to see briefly, both clung to each other for support.

  “What was that?” The grip he held her in tightened as she slumped against him. “Sonja, say something!”

  She couldn’t. The sound of her own voice had left her. Alarm rippled through her as she struggled to regain her bearings. She’d imagined the man below in the street. There was no way he was truly there. Shoving from Ty’s arms, she made her way back to the window. There was nothing there except the moon’s glow starting to shimmer as night fell.

  “What is it, Sonja. You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.” Ty gripped her arm and shook. “Talk to me, damn it.” Tension rippled along his arm and circled her in his grip.

  What did she say to him? How did she explain what she’d seen without sounding completely crazy? After all the things they’d been through and his solid belief in their truth, he’d most probably think her mad. She shoved at him.

  “I…I thought…”

  There came a loud knock at the door. The men both turned. Jeb motioned to Ty as he drew his weapon.

  Ty flicked a glance at Sonja before stepping to the entryway. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Mrs. St. John and Reverend Jones. May we come in?”

  Ty’s eyes narrowed as he glanced from Jeb, who stood near the bed to Sonja and back to Jeb. Waiting for confirmation, he should let them in, Ty motioned for Jeb to flank the other side of the door. Since he wasn’t certain what lay on the opposite side of the portal, Ty drew his gun before calling out, “Come in.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Brooks, how is your sister?” The widow St. John bustled in arms out stretched to gather Sonja into an embrace of sympathy. “Dear, when we heard that poor Briann was feeling poorly, we had to come and check on you both.” Turning to Ty, she smiled demurely, “Oh, put that old thing away, won’t Tyler. We’re friends here.”

  The seductive perusal she gave him didn’t escape Sonja’s wolf senses. More hairs sprang up to tingle along her neck.

  Reverend Jones stepped up and drew Sonja’s hand into his. “My dear Sonja, how’s your sister?

  Sonja stood like a statue still reeling from what she’d seen below in the street. She tried to take back her hand as the reverend’s cold fingers dug into hers. There was a stench coming from the preacher as well. Of course, with the accumulation of trail wear on a body, one could expect an odor, still this was somehow different. She glanced up and into his pale face. There was a glint, which made her tug on her hand in his. When he released her with a wicked grin, she stepped back, sure she’d just peered into the eyes of a vampire. How could she warn Ty? The blood surged in her veins with the burgeoning knowledge they’d unwittingly invited the bloodsuckers into their safe haven. Now what?

  The widow St. John had moved to stand near Jeb. Sonja had to do something. Jeb was in deep trouble, she was sure.

  “Ty, get our guests some refreshments won’t you? I’ll see to making sure everyone is comfortable. We have a long wait, I’m afraid.” Her hostess skills, though rusty kicked in and she managed to indicate the reverend should sit while she stepped closer to Ty. With her telepathic skills still in their infancy, she prayed he could understand. Giving him a good long look into her face, she blinked and glanced in the direction of Jeb’s place beside Briann. “We’ve got company, Ty.” She reached out and latched on to his arm. The sensation sizzled up the length of her arm and she hoped the feeling did the same to his.

  Ty glanced up startled at the sensation and flinched but Sonja wouldn’t let go. The vampires couldn’t see their communication or everything would be over in a few seconds. “Would you get our guests those refreshments, please? I fear we are unprepared for visitors.” Smiling sweetly, she gazed into his eyes steadily. The flicker of recognition stirred a breath from Sonja before she told Ty what she intended to do.

  With another blink of her eyes, Sonja wheeled as the change started to occur along her spin where course hairs sprang to stand at attention. She cocked her head to the left and then the right. Jeb glanced up from his vigil and fire leapt in his undead eyes.

  “You’ll excuse us as we weren’t expecting anyone, Mrs. St. John. I do hope the hotel has something left from dinner. We haven’t had a chance to think about eating.” Sonja stepped closer to the bed.

  Briann’s hand reached out to Jeb. The moan, filled with pain and alarm, brought Jeb back to her side. The Widow seized the opportunity. The blade in her hand thrust forward. A flash of movement, which no one would see except another creature of the night. The stake pierced his side so quietly, anyone watching would think he’d merely bent to Briann’s attentions.

  Sonja dove for the widow the same time Reverend Jones aimed a wooden tomahawk at Jeb. Ty shot first, the sound of the gun’s discharge making Sonja jerk. The widow bucked once before looking down at her left side where a crimson stream appeared in her taffeta jacket.

  She turned and smiled. “Your aim is good, Ty, but I don’t think you used the right tools.” The smile she gave him was sardonic and wicked all at once.

  “Bitch has a problem with improvisation?” He dropped the gun and hurled a wooden chair leg directly at her heart.

  Widow St. John doubled over and turned to ask, “Jonesy?” A clap of thunder and she’d disappeared into dust.

  “What the hell is going on?” Ty threw the question to the room at large.

  “She was vampire, born in evil and nurtured in werewolf blood.” Hortence flicked a glance at him.

  “Why do you always talk in riddles, old woman.” The frustrated anger was raw in his voice. “Can’t you see we’ve got troubles here?”

  “It is true, young one, you have troubles. The greatest is yet to come. Your mate has been violated, her blood stolen in secret.” Hortence’s spared him a narrow glance. “Let this be a warning to you, Tyler Loflin. You stay put and protect your mate at all times. Do you understand?”

  Reverend Jones stepped toward Sonja gripping her about the neck in a vampire’s claw. His features started to shift, the cold gray of his true self began to emerge. “Stay back, all of you.” He waved his gun freely between Jeb and Ty. “Don’t do this,” he warned gravely. You’ll regret having done this. There’s so much to lose.” He threw up his hand and a picture of Sonja and Briann’s children staked to a fire pile where torches encircled the pile formed along the ceiling. “All I have to do is snap my fingers and it’s over.”

  The image was so real, Sonja let out a gasp. Briann’s trembling fingers reached out. “Help, Sonja!” she cried.

  Ty’s growl came from deep within. His eyes glowed icy blue as he hunched forward. “She’s not yours. She’s not here to be stolen. She’s here to save you from your rightful end. Do you understand, blood scum?
” His last words rushed out in more of a guttural growl than a man’s voice. His face began to change and his claws to lengthen.

  Jones laughed so loud the windows shook. “You speak of things you know nothing about, wolf.” Pointing at the door, Jones asked sardonically, “Do you wish to speak of it with our leader?”

  Suddenly, the bedroom door flew open, banging against the wall. The man who stood stoically smirking at them resembled Sonja’s late husband. Ty remembered a picture of him sitting on the fire’s mantel in Sonja’s cabin. “I thought you told me your husband was dead.” This is your husband?” Ty cut Sonja an icy stare. “He looks hale and hearty to me.”

  Her hand flew up to her throat.

  Ty noted the hand trembled before she stumbled, seeking purchase against the bed frame behind her. She hadn’t said a word.

  Robert Brooks was never more alive. His raven hair blew wildly about his thin face.

  “You look surprised to see me, Sonja. I’d have thought you of all people would understand I’ve been with you all along.” He strolled ideally into the room. “Oh, I admit at times, I took on the image of another. Your blood allowed me to do that you know.” Sharing a wicked smirk for Sonja and Ty, he explained. “Do you wonder who attacked you that first night on the trail or why Perkins kept returning to fight you? Perhaps you were perplexed over the fatigue you felt while on the trail.” He flashed his white teeth before continuing, “Don’t worry, Sonja, you’re not pregnant. Just me - sampling the gift.”

  “You son of a bitch! I’ll rip you from your gullet to your worthless dick.” Ty’s eyes glazed over.

  Glancing down, Robert flicked lent from his elegant black suit coat. Ignoring Ty’s attempt to bait him, he flicked a careless glance back at Sonja. “You see, dearest, your blood allowed me to do things I never dreamed of doing. Unfortunately, I always needed more. I even shared some with the good reverend and the widow.” Inclining his head toward Jones, he gave a quick shrug. “The new ones are still learning I’m afraid. Now, my pet, don’t look so shocked. I’m still yours and will be for all eternity.”

  Sonja slumped in the reverend’s hold. A single tear ran down her face. The facts had been there all along. He’d used her and trailed them out of Pennsylvania because he was a vampire with a hunger for the daylight. A movement caught her eye. “Ty – don’t!”

  Ty absorbed the fact the only way he could. He leapt at the vampire with his claws at the ready. The shift came full circle.

  Jeb took the opportunity to lung at the reverend. The stake the widow St. John had used missed his heart so he used the wood on Jones. A look of disbelief showed on the pallid face of the vampire. He stumbled backward. Released, Sonja dropped to her knees gasping for air. Within moments, her feral nature surged up and soon she stood as the she wolf. Her silvery white fur glimmering in the gaslights eliminating the room. She glanced from her husband to Ty’s wolf and the general. Fangs gleaming, she lunged, latching on to Robert with her claws and tore at his neck. Ty’s sheer weight atop the vampire held him down for a few seconds before he flung them off like dirt and hovered near the window.

  “Take heed, Werewolves, your time is now. I’ll burn those dearest to you or you will do as I say. I’m older and stronger than the both of you combined. Heed my words and obey,” Robert growled.

  Sonja glimpsed Jeb’s retrieval of the stake. He hurled the wooden spike like a tomahawk at Robert’s chest. The vampire smoothly blocked the blow and laughed softly. “I fear you all will rue the day you came up against me.” Turning to Sonja, he pointed a finger. “Rise, Liken, and meet your new master. I’ve waited so long for this moment.” Smiling, he reached out as Sonja’s wolf rose from the floor and floated toward him.

  She struggled, protested and attempted to claw his face, but in the end, his cold hand wrapped around her silver collar of fur and held on.

  Ty’s wolf paced out of reach of the Robert’s lecherous clutches. The desire to attack struggled with the need to protect his mate.

  Jeb reached from under his coat and drew out a revolver. “You’ll have to return to hell where you came from bloodsucker.” He fired the first bullet and Robert’s face froze. The second followed and Robert lost his grip on Sonja’s wolf. He glanced down at his chest and back at Jeb. The realization came in the twinkling of an eye.

  “You see vampire, I know what kills you, too. I’ll have to thank Tyler for giving me his wooden bullets. They’ve sure come in handy.” Jeb’s smile never reached his eyes.

  Robert fell to the floor and crumbled into pieces before fire swallowed him up.

  ***

  Sonja came back slowly. Hortence crooned her name and offered encouragement. Struggling to sit, she searched for Ty. “Where is he?” She sought her mate in all four corners of the room. “Jeb?”

  Hortence reached out and stroked her glistening blonde curls. “Easy, my love. They’ve gone to check on the children.”

  Sonja blinked to focus. She rolled her shoulders. The change back to human was almost complete. Scrambling to her feet, she went to the bed where her sister lay sleeping peacefully for the first time in over five hours. “Her head is cool. The fever’s gone.”

  “Her fever came from black magic.” Hortence appeared on the other side of the bed. Those vampires are gathering support in any form they can.” She clutched at a small pouch hanging from a string around her neck. “She will be fine now.” Her eyes narrowed and searched the ceiling. “The train is in danger though. You must go! I’ll stay with her.”

  With Hortence words, Sonja’s alarm grew. “I won’t be in time.”

  “Yes, you will. You are stronger now. Take my hand and close your eyes. Don’t worry, let the spell happen.”

  Sonja obeyed with fear running cold in her blood. She couldn’t see what was happening. Darkness surrounded her as the rushing of the wind fanned her from all sides. Could the vampires have done something to block her sight? Soon the train appeared in front of her. The wagons swam in an irry haze of smoke and heat. Sonja tried to contact Ty with her wolf senses. There was no response. Struggling to drive down the panic, Sonja raced toward her wagon where fire rose angrily from its bed. The children weren’t there. “Ethan? Nathaniel?” Where could they be?

  The shotgun blast took the last of her words away on the wind. Soon other shots joined the first and Sonja whirled in horror to see an Indian riding hells-bells for her. His war cry was spine numbing. Without thinking, she dove under the wagon. If Ty’d been there, he’d have already snatched his revolver from the holster and shot the red man square between the eyes.

  She frantically searched the wagons to locate Briann before remembering her sister didn’t need her worrying about her. Tucked safely in Balch Springs with Hortence watching over her, she was safe.

  In a flash Ty’s familiar face filled her vision. He was so real. “Stay here,” he commanded and shoved the bear gun in her hands. “I’ve got to go help the others.”

  Sonja nodded, while her eyes darted from one wagon to another. Muffled sobbing and screams permeated the air. Smitty and the others of Ty’s detachment came rushing out from everywhere. Some in their long johns, some wearing pants and nothing else. Fire erupted near the Stevens wagon and she scurried from under the wagon before she remembered Ty’s order to stay put. If Mrs. Stevens needed help, she would go. Darting across the semi-circle at a dead run, she spied Jeb fighting with an Indian before sinking his fangs deep in the Indian’s neck. Reaching the wagon, she helped Mrs. Stevens pour water out of her precious supply barrel to douse the flames. With water sloshing, she aimed at the flames licking at the back of the wagon’s canvas cover and threw the liquid as high and precise as she could. Disappointed at the outcome, Sonja hurried back for more water. The majority of the first bucket had missed the mark completely. The fire picked up in intensity.

  Struggling under the water’s weight, she didn’t have time to see where Ty had gone or what was happening at the moment. The second bucket made more of an impact. Small fl
ames still sizzled and smoked around the perimeter of the fire, but most of the blaze was out.

  “Thank you so much,” Mrs. Stevens said breathlessly as the women crouched near the back opening of the wagon. She worked loading pistols and a shotgun almost as big as Sonja’s before handing them over to anyone who needed a gun. “Where’s your bear gun?”

  Sonja’s mind went back the moment when Ty’d shoved the bear gun at her under the wagon and commanded her stay put. Laying a hand on Mrs. Stevens, she yelled over the noise and confusion. “I have to go!” Racing back across the opening where men now lay sprawled, she tried to find Ty. Suddenly, the sound of the mules braying, stomping and stirring in fright came to her ears. “Daisy!” A large Indian held her rein while he tugged her backward.

  Without thinking, she snatched up the bear gun. Smoke poured from the wagon as she flew by.

  He yanked harder on Daisy’s led.

  Giving a loud yell, she tried to fire the gun. It didn’t go off. “Damn!” She’d forgotten the shells. Frantic to stop him from stealing Daisy, she charged the Indian swinging the gun butt wildly. “Leave them alone! Get back! Get away, you vulture!”

  The Indian threw back his head and laughed from deep in his gut. He mocked her!

  A surge of adrenalin fueled her temper. Sonja’s eyes glowed golden.

  The Indian smirked. “Vulture indeed.”

  Sonja froze. She’d seen that smirk before. That voice – so familiar but quiet impossible. The Crow Indian stepped toward her.

  “Did you think you’d be rid of me so easily, my pet?” Robert had always used the endearment for her.

  “Robert?”

  “In the flesh, or should I say in the undead flesh.” He spread his hands and kept advancing.

  Sonja stumbled backward and turned to flee. He grasped her around the neck and threw her to the ground. Every bone in her body shook with the jar of hitting the hard packed earth. Her focus was gone. She struggled to see. Two and three of Robert swam in front of her eyes. “Ty! Help me!” She cried. Rolling sideways, she did her best to escape. Robert’s strength was immense and Sonja, so addled, couldn’t focus on shifting. He punched her hard across the face. Vampire fangs hovered over her face before the lights went out.