to me and I want to share Paris with you even though I can’t be there with you. You
did say you wanted to write something while vacationing there, right? What better
way to write a story than on something, or someone you love. Van. I know you do
and I know you’re proud to write from the heart. That’s what you do. It’s true that
you can get that kind of information through internet sites. They’re okay, but I want
some inside info. I wanted the true story of what it’s like. From someone who
doesn’t make his or her home in France. I’m just afraid I would get a biased opinion
if I asked a native. I couldn’t blame them. I would be the same way if someone
asked me for my views of Alabama or the U.S.
“It may seem like small news to some but according to you, it’s not. Because you
care about these people. I needed someone with a heart to write this piece. Not
someone who’s generic in the emotion’s department. Okay, Simone? I hope this
answers any questions or worries you had about the subject. Have fun. I can’t wait
to see you.
Love, Davis Brant.”
Davis sent the e-mail, hating himself even more.
He couldn’t wait until this crap was over.
“Simone will never forgive me if she found out,” he murmured to himself pathetically.
“And she won’t find out if you keep your mouth shut, Davis,” came a menacing voice from outside Davis’ office.
Davis jerked his head up and saw Mr. Hobbs swagger into the room. His stance said that he knew something Davis didn’t. He didn’t like this one bit.
“Mr. Hobbs. What brings you here?” Davis asked, trying to sound as normal as possible. Apparently, it wasn’t working.
“Nervous, are we, Davis? Why? You haven’t disclosed any information to Simone, have you? I mean, you wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her, would you? She’s like the daughter you never had. You wouldn’t want to lose that only daughter because of your carelessness.” Mr. Hobbs’ threat was as plain as the nose on his somewhat scarred face. If he didn’t keep his mouth shut, Simone would be killed. All because of him.
Mr. Hobbs laughed darkly. “Very good. And you know, of course, if you do spill the beans, we have no choice but to do away with you as well. That is after you see Simone tortured first. How would you want her to beg for her life, Davis? Trade her around to some toughs I can hire in a minute? Throw her in a dark room with no walls until she goes insane? We want you to take that guilt to your grave. Tell her what kind of a man you really are right before she breathes her last breath. Tell me, Davis. Which way is best?” Mr. Hobbs asked with blackness in his voice.
Davis averted his eyes. He spoke slowly, “I didn’t tell her anything. She won’t find out. I promise.” But, Davis Brant’s voice grew in volume as he spoke, “You will not hurt Simone, do you hear me? I’ll keep her in the dark, you just leave her alone!”
Mr. Hobbs curved his lips upward. Others would think he was truly smiling. Davis knew differently. It was a warning. Plain and simple. He left out of the office, leaving Davis to brood over their conversation.
*
Indea lay contently in Saldivar’s arms. She could hear him breathing on the back of her hair. She though that nothing could get any better that this. She yawned and reached over to glance at the clock on one of Saldivar’s small wooden tables: two:thirty! They’ve rested this long?
Well, they didn’t necessary sleep all that time. Twice he pulled her to him and made sweet, hot love to her until she thought her body could take no more. After that, Indea drifted off to sleep in Saldivar’s strong arms. She closed her eyes once more and drifted off again.
*
“What time is it, my sweet Indea?” Saldivar asked in a hushed tone, waiting for Indea to come out of her sweet slumber. He hated waking her.
“Three o’clock. Why?”
Saldivar shot out of bed. He had rested with Indea far longer than he should have. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to have her in his arms all day and night but the sun will be up soon and he needed the security of his lair. Indea’s brows knitted. Saldivar noticed and said, “Oh, Indea, I was hoping that we could have spoken on some very serious issues tonight, but I fear it is too late. I must be getting back home. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is important that I get home before sunrise. Promise you will meet me here tomorrow. I need to talk to you.”
Indea frowned. Before sunrise? Instead of questioning that statement, she just shrugged, forgetting to ask him about having breakfast with her.
Indea got out of bed, naked as the day she was born, and walked to him. “Okay, Saldivar. Is it something terribly serious?”
“It’s serious, but not terrible. Though, it may end up changing both our lives forever.”
Indea was puzzled by what he said, but said nothing as she got dressed. She kissed Saldivar passionately. He wrapped his arms around her and received her sweet kiss.
Indea slipped on her shoes and dress and retrieved her purse. “I will be here tomorrow, Saldivar. Then we can talk.” With a wave, she walked out of the cabin and went to her car and rode toward home.
Saldivar finished getting dressed, then tidied up the cabin. He could still smell the sweetness that Indea left behind on the bed, the pillows and the very air in the room. No mortal could pick up on that scent, but he could smell every nuance of her.
Now tomorrow, he had to face her and tell her what he truly was: A blood sucking vampire. He now wondered if he even deserved her.
*
Simone heard Indea come in about an hour later. The huge smile evident on Indea’s flushed face said it all. But Simone was still a little curious about what the stranger said about bite marks.
So, how was she going to look without raising an alarm to Indea? She would hate to ruin what seemed like the perfect night. She guessed she could figure it out. She would just play it by ear and see what developed.
Simone followed Indea into her room. Indea sat on the vanity and began brushing her hair.
That’s it! Simone walked over to Indea and asked softly, “Could I brush you hair for you, Indea?”
Indea smiled and handed Simone the brush. “Thanks, Simone.”
Simone began brushing, trying to maneuver her hair away from her neck. “How was your night with Saldivar?” She brushed once more.
Indea’s face took on a dreamy look. “Simone, it was perfect. More than perfect. It was like I had been waiting for Saldivar for centuries. But I know that it can’t be so. I haven’t known him that long but it feels like I have. Know what I mean?”
Simone thought of Van. “Oh, I most certainly know.” She brushed Indea’s hair away from her neck and stared. She found nothing on the left side. She looked to the right. Again, nothing.
What did that stranger know, and why in the world did I listen to him in the first place?
Indea furrowed her brows at Simone’s perusal of her. “Simone, what are you doing?”
Simone’s eyes went wide for a moment. She tried to act natural. “Oh, nothing,” she said a bit offhandedly.
Indea’s eyes turned to slits. “You don’t sound too sure of yourself. We’ve always been honest with each other. C’mon, Simone. Something’s up. Tell me. Please?”
Simone sighed as she returned the brush to the vanity table. “Come sit over here and I’ll explain.”
They both sat on Indea’s bed and Simone began to tell Indea the whole detailed story of the mysterious stranger and what he warned her about.
By the time Simone finished, Indea was looking a little too bewildered and doubtful. She shook her head.
“Don’t tell me you believe this crap, Simone. The guy sounds like a freak. And not the good kind.”
Simone chewed her lower lip. “Well, how did he know that you were out with Saldivar at that specific time? How did he know Van? Why did he call me when I w
as alone and ask for me by my first and last name? I don’t live here, so why ask for me specifically?”
Indea stood up and crossed her arms. “I think all this talk of vampires has gotten to you. A lot of people saw us at Bastille Day. It could be someone who was there and they knew about the hours kept by Saldivar and Van. Maybe he or she or they were jealous and they’re trying to ruin our relationships.” Indea closed her eyes and suddenly popped them open. She explained in an excited voice, “Wait just a minute here! Michael. It has got to be him. Saldivar fired him when he tried to take liberties with me. Michael knows about the club’s hours. He must know a lot about Van and Saldivar. It has to be him, Simone.”
“Maybe. It didn’t sound like him over the phone, though. This guy sounded kind of French-American.”
Indea huffed. “Come on, Simone. Michael could’ve faked an accent. I mean, he faked being a gentleman pretty well.”
For some reason, Simone couldn’t believe that it was Michael. “This guy sounded too refined to be Michael.”
Indea still saw doubt clouding Simone’s eyes. “Look, I’m sorry this wacko ruined your night. Please don’t let him ruin mine. Talk to Van, okay? I’ll speak with Saldivar about it later. I’m going to bed.” Indea waited for Simone to get off the bed, then she turned down her covers and said a small ‘good-night’, closed her eyes, apparently not wanting to talk about the subject any longer.
Simone trudged out of Indea’s room and decided to check her e-mail to see if Mr. Brant left her anything. She had wanted to check earlier, but found she was too worried about Indea.
She sat down and opened her e-mail and read.
After finishing the letter, Simone was baffled.
“He never signs off ‘Love, Davis Brant’.” Simone felt a stab in her chest. Mr. Brant was hiding something. She could feel it. Strange things have been going on ever since she wrote that article on Mr. Hobbs. Maybe she should give Mr. Brant a ring.
She glanced at her watch. It was too late now. And she should really talk to Van first.
She decided to get ready for bed herself when the phone rang. She was reluctant to answer it now. Indea’s parents weren’t home. Should she get it?
“Simone?” Indea called out in a sleepy voice. “It’s Van.”
Simone rushed to pick up the receiver. “I got it, Indea. Hey, Van.”
“Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling today?”
Simone didn’t want to talk to him just yet about what was going on. “I’m great. Now that you called.”
“I’m happy to hear it. I haven’t seen you in a while. Can I pick you up tomorrow? I want to take you somewhere.” His voice took on a secretive hush.
Simone smiled. “I would love that, Van,” she said, somewhat breathlessly.
“Good. I will pick you up around seven.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Sweet dreams,” he told her then replaced the receiver softly in it cradle.
Van looked at the phone. Something was troubling Simone. He could feel her worry. He would have to talk to her. Tell her everything. He wanted to speak to Saldivar first and see how things went with his mate, Indea. He should be home soon.
*
Saldivar wanted to take the long way home tonight. He wanted to smell the fresh night air. Smell every nuance of the sweet flowers blooming fully in the ground. He wanted to linger over his thoughts of Indea and how it felt making sweet love to her. She was a very passionate woman. She gave her everything to him. He already knew he was in love with her. Perhaps soon, he would tell her she was the Eternal Entity. He hoped she would want the transformation. Like Van, Indea and Simone would not live past thirty. He wanted-needed-them to believe him and Van.
“Why don’t you tell her now?” a sultry female voice asked from behind the shadows.
Saldivar stopped. Whipped his head toward the dark. This person read his mind? How did he not sense her?
“Your mind is too focused on Indea.” The female came from beyond the darkness. A vampire. Saldivar saw this beautiful, young vampiress step to him. She had on tight black pants and a white body hugging shirt. Her short, black hair was spiked and the tips were blond. Dangling earrings hung from her petite ears.
“Who are you?” Saldivar demanded.
“Why, Saldivar. Don’t you recognize your very own sister?”
Saldivar’s amber eyes widened. “Sister? You mean you’re Zane’s child?” He couldn’t believe it.
“Believe it. I am Zane’s offspring. Not his child,” she told him harshly.
“What’s the difference?” Saldivar wanted to know.
The vampire strolled around Saldivar before answering. “Yes. There is a big difference. Zane may have sired me, but I don’t consider him my father or my dad.”
“I’ll ask again, who are you?” Saldivar ground out, tiring of this game.
“My name is Raven.” She went on to explain, “Zane impregnated a human fifty years ago. My mother died while giving birth to me. I was under the care of Dr. Ganden for a little while, but Zane came and took me in.” She didn’t elaborate on how Zane treated her. She wasn’t ready to humiliate herself just yet.
Saldivar looked doubtful. “Zane took care of you?” Somehow, he found that highly unlikely.
Raven waved Saldivar away and spoke in a regal tone, “Believe what you will. I am here. I need to tell you some things, but I’m afraid Zane will find out. He hates you with a purple passion, you know?”
Saldivar shook his head. “I wish I knew why.”
“Even Zane won’t tell me.” She made an unladylike noise. “All I know is that he’s out for blood. He wants to destroy you and anyone that gets in the way,” she said darkly, knowing she made herself perfectly clear.
Saldivar noted the emphasis in Raven’s voice. “Indea.”
Raven nodded gravely. “And Van. And Simone.”
Saldivar’s brows knotted in confusion. “And just how do you know about Van and Simone?” He perused her mind gently. She couldn’t stop him if she wanted to. He already knew but wanted to give Raven a chance to come clean.
Raven looked down at the ground beneath her feet. Guilty. “You are going to hate me for this. And I probably deserve it. No, I know I deserve it.” She took in a deep breath and faced Saldivar, eye to eye. “Zane has been making me spy on all four of you and then report back on my findings.” Saying it out loud made her feel completely ashamed of her actions.
Saldivar crossed his arms but found he could not fault Raven for doing what she did. Zane is very powerful. He’s over two thousand year old. Raven is only half vampire and a neophyte; a mere fifty years old. She would be nothing to Zane. He felt that that was the case any way.
He decided he could be lenient. “We must talk some more. Come. We will finish this discussion in my cabin.”
Raven followed Saldivar into the cabin. She knew she had to tell him everything. If not, he would go into her mind. He was strong enough to use the powers of Persuasion on her. She could do it herself but the age difference made it somewhat useless to try. Besides, she felt she could trust him with anything. She sensed no evil in him.
Raven explained the constant spying, the threats, her time at Wilsbrook and even her link to the OVI and that an unknown reporter was doing a story on Mr. Hobbs for the editor of the paper about the possibilities of immortals in the states. She knew Saldivar was angry at the fact that she had been leaking out information. He also wondered what mortal reporter in his right mind would write and believe about vampires. Most didn’t truly believe in the undead any way.
He decided to leave that alone for now.
Saldivar started calmly, “Why could you not stand up against your father, Raven? What kind of strong hold did he have against you? And why did you not come to me for help? I am, in some way, your brother.” Saldivar smiled weakly.
Raven squeezed her dark eyes shut for a moment before answering. She opened them, looking defeated. “What could I have done, Saldivar? You
of all people know the true strength of Zane. I know it is only physical strength. That’s where his power ends.” Raven paced slowly across the carpet. “Zane kept me from deranged experiments. Crazy doctors who would like nothing more than to torture half breeds like me or true bloods like you or Van.” She shook her head and balled her fists at her sides. “I hated it, Saldivar.” She unclenched her hands. “But what could I have done? I didn’t want to go back to the laboratories and sterile hospitals that had the sickening smell of blood, death and disinfectant. I was tired of being poked and prodded and examined in a glass cage. I was nothing more than an animal to them. Tell me, Saldivar,” her eye boring into his. “What choice would you have taken? Working with Zane or being in that hospital of horrors?” Raven asked quietly.
Saldivar only needed to think for a second before answering. “What does it matter what I think? Either way, I would have been imprisoned. I vowed never to go through that again. One choice does not sound any better than the other. I am only glad I wasn’t given those kinds of options.”
“I have to do what I can to get by. Until I have a chance to flee from Zane, that is. He’ll kill me if he finds out I’m even speaking to you. He doesn’t even like me mentioning your name in the positive context.” Her eyes glistened in pain as she concluded, “I regret every bit of it. I am sorry, Saldivar. Maybe I should have stood up to him. Told him where to put it.”
“You know as well as I Zane would have crushed you into dust.” Saldivar put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I do not blame you, Raven. You wanted to live so you did what Zane wanted you to do. It is not wrong to want to have a happy life.”
Raven snorted. “A happy life?” she asked incredulously. “With Zane? He doesn’t know the meaning of happy. The whole time I have been working for him, he’s made my life a hell on earth. Well, I don’t think hell compares to Zane. He’d find a way to make Satan bow to him,” she stated flatly.
Saldivar laughed deeply. “I will have to agree with you on that one, Raven.”
Raven laughed with her ‘brother’. It felt good to laugh again. She couldn’t remember a time when she felt totally at ease.
NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul Page 17