“Have you tried it on yet?”
“No. It’s not mine. I don’t feel like I should.”
“I gave it to you. Put it on.”
“I don’t know.” Wearing a chain that had been around Julian’s neck for so long felt like such an intimate thing to do.
“C’mon. For me.”
She put the phone on speaker, then set it on the counter. “Hang on.” She picked the chain up, weighing it in her hands. The amulet was beautiful. Some kind of deep red, polished stone set in a fine, pale silver metal that had the heft of platinum. There was filigree around the edges, but upon closer inspection, it seemed like there were words worked into the design. More markings patterned the back.
She hooked the clasp around her neck and let the chain settle on her skin. The cool metal warmed quickly, but that wasn’t the sensation she really noticed. “Wow.”
“You put it on?”
“Yes. And the sun doesn’t bother me anymore. I mean, I can still feel it, but it’s not irritating anymore.”
“You definitely have it on.”
“I don’t feel nearly as sleepy as I did a minute ago, either.”
“That’s the amulet.” His voice was light and happy. “And now that you have it on, why don’t you meet me at the police station and we can see what Birdie found out together?”
The thought of going out in the sun sent a new wave of panic through her. “I don’t know.”
“What’s not to know?”
“It just feels…wrong.” She laughed nervously. “Okay, I will, but it’s going to take some getting used to.”
“I know. It goes against the grain of who we are, but I promise it’s safe. How long do you need? The station’s about ten minutes away from the Excelsior.”
“I just got up. Forty-five minutes?”
“Perfect. See you there.” He hung up.
Outside. During daylight. Her hands went to the amulet around her neck. Did she trust this? Did she trust Julian?
Yes. After all, the amulet worked for Julian. And she certainly trusted him. She sighed. He was not Alonso. She knew that. And yet, there was a part of her that was still burdened by doubt. After what had been done to her, it was nearly impossible not to have some hesitation.
The universe was testing her. Pushing her to trust. Forcing her to face her fears. And if she did that, if she passed the test…what did that say about her future?
She put her glass in the sink and went to get ready.
Thirty-three minutes later, she had her hand on the penthouse door, when something occurred to her. With a grin, she ran to Julian’s closet. She needed sunglasses. She opened the drawer of them and picked out a classic pair of Ray-Bans. They would do nicely.
Then she hurried down to the Excelsior’s lobby. Lou wasn’t there, but his replacement waved at her. Freddy, she thought the man’s name was. She waved back.
“Morning. You’re Mr. Ellingham’s guest, right?”
She nodded. “Miss Clarke.”
“Right, right.” He pointed at himself. “I’m Freddy. Can I call you a Ryde?”
“I called one on the way down. It’s only a minute away.”
“Very good. Have a nice day.”
“Thanks. You too.” But all she could see were the glass doors in front of her. And the big picture windows. And all that sun.
Every instinct in her vampire body said turn around and run. Faintly, she could hear the call of gulls and the crash of waves. She closed her eyes. This was not the island all over again. She opened her eyes. She could do this. Julian had survived for centuries with this amulet around his neck.
But what if it didn’t work on a different person? What if the witch had made the amulets to protect each one of them specifically? Julian would know that, wouldn’t he? The salty stench of the sea rose up around her.
She couldn’t do this.
Her phone rang. Julian. “Hello?”
“I’m guessing you’re on the verge of melting down right now.”
She let go of the tension that had been boiling up inside her. “How did you know that?”
“I remember what it was like the first time I walked outside with my amulet on and I didn’t have anything close to the history you have. Talk to me. How are you doing?”
“On the verge of melting down about sums it up.” She laughed, the sound wavering and full of nerves. “You’re sure this thing works, right?”
“Absolutely. You want me to come there? Do this with you?”
“No. I can do it.” The Ryde pulled up. “I have to. My car just arrived. Okay, stay with me on the phone.”
“You got it.”
She took determined steps toward the door. The heat from the morning sun pulsed through the glass. “This is nuts.”
“It is. But magic is like that sometimes.”
“Right.” She put her hand on the warm glass and pushed.
“Hey, how about after the police station we get some breakfast? It might not live up to the pizza, but there’s a lot of great food in this town.”
“Sure.” She hesitated, half in, half out, and inches from the first ray. She closed her eyes and stepped forward.
“Great. I know a place that makes amazing blueberry pancakes and incredible cinnamon buns.”
The burst of flame and the searing burns never materialized. She opened her eyes. She was outside. In the sun. “I did it,” she whispered.
His smile came through loud and clear. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” She swallowed down the emotions thickening her throat. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Desi. Now get in that car, I’m waiting on you.”
The ride to the station felt like something out of a carnival. Seeing things in the sunlight made everything look new. She stared out the window, spellbound by the passing scenery. She wasn’t sure Julian understood the gift he’d given her. Or maybe he did.
Then an unhappy thought popped into her head. Was this his attempt to keep her as his wife? It was tempting, but it wasn’t going to work. In fact, even if he said otherwise, she was giving the amulet back after the divorce was final. As sad as that made her, it would be the right thing to do. She wouldn’t be the reason his family was angry with him.
But was he trying to game this relationship in some way? Why had he decided to go against his grandmother’s wishes? This amulet never should have been Desi’s and she knew it.
When she got out at the station, he was waiting there, all smiles and looking very pleased with himself, but she had a thousand questions.
She hopped out of the car, still amazed she didn’t instantly combust, and approached him, her mind buzzing with all the uncertainties this new wrinkle had created. She pushed the sunglasses onto the top of her head.
“You look beautiful.” He met her halfway on the sidewalk. He had a pastry box in one hand. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Thanks for making it possible.” She sighed. “But we really need to talk.”
“Of course,” Julian said. He was thrilled she’d joined him, but even more thrilled that Elenora had relented and made it possible. And who knew that Alice had a batch of emergency amulets already made up? The things Didi kept secret sometimes. But then, keeping secrets was very Didi. And very infuriating. Usually. Right now, he was too happy to be mad about anything. “What do you want to talk about?”
“What do you think?” She glanced around. “Not here, though. Not on the street.”
“Let’s go inside. We can use the conference room. But brace yourself, you’re going to have to meet Birdie first. Especially because I promised her these doughnuts.”
“No problem. I’m happy to meet and thank anyone who’s helping me.”
He held the door for her, and they went in. Birdie was at her desk.
She greeted them in her usual fashion. “Oh, Julian, you said she was pretty. You didn’t say she was a supermodel.”
Desi laughed, a sound that never failed to lighten Julian
’s soul. He shook his head. “Birdie Caruthers, meet Desdemona Valentine.”
Birdie leaned over the counter to shake Desi’s hand. “So nice to meet you. Welcome to Nocturne Falls.”
“Thank you,” Desi said. “And thank you for helping us with that list of names.”
Birdie waved the words away. “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for any of the Ellingham boys, but Julian especially.” She winked at him. “I’m ready to share what I found out when you are. I’m waiting on one more query, but I don’t think it’ll make that much difference.”
Julian put the box of doughnuts on the counter. “Excellent. But first, Desdemona and I need a few minutes in your conference room for a conversation of our own.”
She opened up the box and studied the contents with great interest. “Go right on in. You know where it is. When you’re ready for me, you just give me a holler.”
“Thank you, we will.” He escorted Desi to the room, then shut the door. “Okay, what’s up?”
“We need to talk about this amulet. About what strings are attached to it.”
He shook his head slowly. “There are no strings.”
Her look said she didn’t believe him. “I heard your grandmother at dinner. Clearly there are strings.”
“No. It’s my gift to you. And whatever happens with my grandmother is on me. I’ll deal with her. But I don’t ever want you to be in danger from the sun again. If I can do anything for you, I want to erase that worry.”
“But…we’re getting divorced.”
He did his best to keep his expression neutral. “I’m aware.”
“You don’t want this back when the divorce is final?”
“Wouldn’t be much of a gift then, would it?”
“But your grandmother said—”
“And I said leave that to me.”
“Julian, I…this is overwhelming.” She sat in one of the chairs at the long table. “This amulet is life changing.”
He took the seat next to her, turning the chair toward her. “It is. In more ways than one. You have to be careful with it. Don’t flaunt it. Don’t talk about it. Other vampires will take notice. Our family secret has to become your personal secret as well.”
Her hand went to the amulet. “Understood.” Then she frowned. “You’re really not doing this as an attempt to sway me into staying?”
He lifted his head, his eyes narrowed. “You’ve known me for a while now. Is that really how you see me? A game player?”
“Maybe on the outside, but no. You’re one of the most genuine people I know.”
“Thank you. And I know you well enough to know that you’re going to do whatever you want, regardless of outside circumstances.”
“True.”
He spoke from the depths of his aching heart. “I just want to take care of you, Desi. Even when I’m not around.”
“Oh, Jules. This is the most generous gift I’ve ever gotten.” She abruptly leaned forward, bracing her hands on his shoulders, and kissed him. The hard, insistent press of her mouth on his punched him in the gut, instantly crumbling his resolve to feel nothing more for her. He steadied himself, struggling not to react.
Then the kiss continued, growing hungrier. Desi leaned into him, almost climbing onto his lap.
What was left of his resolve vanished. Thunder pounded in his head, brought on by a storm named Desi. He pulled her closer and gave himself over to the urges coursing through him. He raked his fangs over her bottom lip and the metallic taste of blood spilled across his tongue. The darker side of him roared for more.
He lifted her onto the table, then put his hands on her hips and tugged her closer. His hands slid over her to sink into the back pockets of her jeans and cup her backside.
She gasped at his actions, but made no effort to end the kiss. Instead, her arms went around him, and her hands flattened on his back.
His mouth trailed lower, down her throat. “Wife,” he growled against her skin. “If you started this kiss as another attempt to thank me—”
“Take me home,” she rasped.
His body tensed at her words, every muscle and sinew as taut as a tightrope. He’d waited an unendurable amount of time to hear such a request from her.
The door opened and Birdie strolled in, paperwork in hand. “Okay, that last query just came through—whoa, there. I thought you two were just talking?”
Desi slid off the table, tugging her shirt down.
Julian stepped in front of her. “We, uh, got carried away.”
“I’ll say.” Birdie snorted, then she shook her head in teasing disapproval. “I’ll just come back when it’s a little more PG in here.”
“No.” Julian glanced over his shoulder at Desi. She seemed mostly recovered. “We need to discuss those names.”
“You sure?” Birdie asked.
Desi put her hand on his back. “Yes. I’m sorry about what you walked in on. Won’t happen again.”
“Well, that’s disappointing,” Birdie said as she took a seat and opened the file in her hands. “Just maybe give a person a warning next time.”
“Yes, well, about that…” Julian picked up Desi’s chair, which had gotten knocked over during their amorous activities. As much as he’d rather continue with the kissing, they needed to get to the bottom of who was harassing Desi. “Let’s focus on the names, shall we?”
“You’re the boss, applesauce,” Birdie said. She tapped her finger on the printouts in front of her. “Fourteen names but not a lot of info on most of them. One, a woman by the name of Heather Cross, runs a Facebook fan page for you.”
“I have a Facebook fan page?”
Birdie nodded. “With over forty thousand likes.”
“Wow.” Desi looked at Julian. “You think she could be my stalker? Like maybe she’s one of those who wants to keep me in her basement and make me put lotion on?”
Birdie snorted. “I don’t think Mrs. Cross is about to go full Silence of the Lambs on you. She’s got three kids, drives a minivan, and has been married for nineteen years to the same guy. Who happens to be a plumber. She doesn’t fit the whack-a-do profile. Also, on the dates that Julian gave me, she was nowhere near Vegas. For one, she was at her niece’s wedding and the other at a plumbing convention with her husband. She’s not your woman.”
“Next,” Julian said.
One by one, Birdie went through more of the names, explaining why they weren’t a possibility. Then she pulled out a new sheet of paper. “Three names left. And three who might be interesting in this case.”
“Brian Brennan. Vera Mears. And Abigail Helmsman.” Birdie looked over the rims of her reading glasses. “Interesting thing about Miss Helmsman. The deeper I dug, the more it appears that’s not her real name. It’s actually Helsing.”
Julian let out a soft curse.
Desi shook her head. “Isn’t that a little obvious? And also, are we really going to go there and say that I’m being stalked by a vampire hunter?”
Birdie held up a finger. “Listen. Abigail Helsing is thirty-six years old, lists her address as Upstate New York, but hasn’t received mail there in seven years, carries a membership in the Talisman Club—”
“I don’t know what that is,” Desi interrupted.
Julian let out a derisive breath. “It’s nonsense, is what it is.”
“Vampire-hunting nonsense, although they’ve branched out to include all kinds of supernaturals,” Birdie said. “Her membership is also a clue to this woman’s mind-set.”
Julian turned to Desi. “The Talisman Club was formed in the 1800s by a man who claimed to be a descendant of Stoker’s Van Helsing.”
Desi frowned. “That’s a fictional character.”
“I said it was nonsense.”
“But,” Birdie said. “There is some evidence that Stoker based Van Helsing on a real person. A friend of his who claimed to be able to cure vampirism.”
Julian rolled his eyes. “With a silver stake through the heart. This group persists tod
ay, but in very small numbers. They’ve become extreme fringe, as opposed to regular fringe.”
Desi flattened her hands on the table. “Birdie, why didn’t you tell us about this woman first?”
“Because I can’t verify her whereabouts on the dates in question. She could have been anywhere.”
Julian’s phone rang. He pulled it out and checked the screen. “Hang on, this might help us.”
He answered. “Good morning, Marigold.”
“Morning, Julian. I came in a little early to look up that name you asked me about. The order came in on the florist network so most likely it was placed online. I just filled it because I was the closest shop to the address.”
“Understood.” He could hear her tapping on a keyboard.
“Payment was registered to a company credit card.”
“And the company’s name?”
“Harker Enterprises. Does that mean anything to you?”
“Yes.” A hot, angry feeling settled into his stomach. “Can you send a copy of that to Birdie at the station?”
“Sure. I’ll have it over there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”
“You’re welcome. Have a nice day.”
“You too.” He hung up and looked at Birdie. “Harker Enterprises is the name of the company that sent Desi a bouquet of black roses with a threatening note.”
“As in Mina Harker?” Birdie asked.
“That’s my guess,” Julian answered.
Desi grunted. “Another fictional character from Stoker’s Dracula. How original.”
He glanced at her. “Right? And I’d bet if we could dig deeper, we’d find it’s the same company that sent Sam’s flowers too.”
He turned back to Birdie, who was already typing. “What can you tell me about Harker Enterprises?”
“Give me a few…more…I’m in.” She pushed her glasses back on her nose a little. “Would these other flowers have been sent from the Desert Blooms shop?”
Julian nodded. “Yes.”
Desi’s eyes went wide. “How did you figure that out?”
Birdie grinned. “I do a little hacking in my spare time.”
“Isn’t that illegal?” Desi held her hands up. “Not that I’m complaining.” Then she laughed. “Birdie Caruthers, you’re a total badass.”
The Vampire's Accidental Wife (Nocturne Falls Book 8) Page 16