Eternal Breath of Darkness

by Candice Stauffer

  Caylee snatched the paper away from Joseph. “I can’t believe it.” Giggling, she started to read it. “Did you do this, Haden?”

  “No.” Pointing at Joseph, he said, “It’s all his doing.”

  Caylee turned to Joseph. “How did you do it?”

  “The less you know the better,” Joseph teased, but he maintained a very serious, matter-of-fact expression. He almost looked angry.

  Drawing her bottom lip into her mouth and chewing on it, Caylee frowned. “Oh.” Feeling uncomfortable, she moved a little closer to Haden. Immediately wrapping his arm around her, Haden glared at Joseph.

  “I’m only kidding.” Smiling, purposely gentling his expression, Joseph shrugged. “I just rearranged of few of his assets to expose several of his dirty little secrets. It raised a few red flags. Uncle Sam did the rest.”

  Squealing, she flung her arms around Joseph neck and kissed his cheek. “You’re absolutely brilliant, Joseph.” Not wanting to get his ass kicked, Joseph respectfully, looking more than a little worried, didn’t return the hug or the kiss. Haden quickly moved forward and wrapped his arm around Caylee’s waist and pulled her to his side where she belonged.

  Leaning against Haden, Caylee asked, “Will you be coming to the party with us?”

  Looking over Caylee’s head to where Mia had exited the cemetery, Joseph smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” And he wouldn’t. He was eager to see Mia again. “It has been a little while since I’ve gone out.”

  “A little while?” Haden laughed aloud. “You’ve been playing dead for nearly two years now.”

  “Has it been that long?” Joseph shrugged casually. “I didn’t notice. I guess time flies when you’re having fun.”

  “You’ve been playing dead?” Caylee asked.

  Joseph shrugged. “My wife and her lover killed me.”

  “How sad, but you’re like Haden, right?”

  “It was little depressing. And yes, I’m like Haden. Since I can’t really die, I decided to play dead until I could figure out what to do next.”

  Haden laughed. “He’s lying. He has been playing dead so he can haunt them.”

  “If people recognize you it will be over. Aren’t you just a little worried that if you go to the party someone will recognize you tonight?” Caylee asked.

  “Not at all,” Joseph said. “I have the ability to control my appearance.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Our kind has the ability to take the form of just about anything or anyone at any time,” Joseph explained.

  “I can understand how playing dead would be fun, but the thought of taking another form is just a little bit freaky.” She smiled. “I’m still struggling to grasp the dragon thingy.” She looked up at Haden. “If you ever take the form of a woman, we’re done.”

  “There’s no reason to worry about that.” Haden shook his head. “I don’t think playing dead would be fun at all.”

  Caylee giggled. “I don’t know. His wife and her lover tried to kill him. They believe they succeeded. I think haunting them is very funny. When I die, I plan to haunt you.”

  Clearly irritated, Haden frowned. “Don’t say that.”

  “Why?” She smiled up at him. “Are you afraid of ghosts?”

  “It’s not funny, Caylee.” Haden took a deep breath and released it with a growl.

  “Are you seriously growling at me? Don’t do it again, Haden. It’s so unattractive.”

  While Haden and Caylee argued, Joseph took out his phone and got onto Facebook. He searched for Mia and found her right away. He read her profile and checked out her pictures and then, unable to resist the urge, he requested a friendship with her and poked her. Was the poke immature? Absolutely. But he just couldn’t resist the temptation of doing it. Just the thought of how mad she would be caused him to smile. He put the phone in his pocket and then interrupted their argument. “So Haden, do you still plan to go out and talk to Nikolas today?”

  “Yes.” Haden turned to face him. “He has always been the closest to Demetri. There’s a chance that he knows more about what is going on. We need more information, and we need it now.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Zack will follow you to make sure Paul doesn’t get too close to you. I’m going to follow Mia to make sure Paul doesn’t follow her.” Joseph smiled. “Enjoy your day.” He certainly planned to enjoy the day. “I’ll see you later tonight.” Turning to walk away, he dissolved into a mist.

  Caylee took Haden’s hand and looked up at him. “Do you believe Mia is in danger? I mean, do you think Paul plans to go after her?”

  Haden shrugged casually. “It’s possible, but I doubt it. I think Joseph is following Mia because he takes pleasure in her company.”

  “Oh no. I sure hope not. Mia didn’t seem to like him at all.” She paused. “Maybe you should warn him to leave her alone. She definitely won’t like him following her around.”

  “I would be wasting my breath. He knows she doesn’t like him, little love.” He wrapped his arm around her to lead her toward the car. “He’s not accustomed to being so quickly and entirely rejected by a woman. Tragically, in a twisted sort of way, he liked being cast off by her.”

  “Why? That’s just sick. He has serious issues. Well then, if he bugs her too much, I guess he’ll get what he deserves. I won’t feel bad at all when she puts him in his place.”

  There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere. Haden stopped right next to the car and opened the door for Caylee. Studying the disturbance, he glanced all around. He knew that Paul was deeply enraged. He wanted to snatch Caylee, but he didn’t dare. Not yet anyways. The vampire was using ancient spells to prevent Zack from finding him. The vampire was way too sure of himself. He knew Paul would’ve attempted to attack and snatch Caylee if Zack wasn’t nearby, ready to intervene.

  Settling in her seat, Caylee looked up at Haden. “We’re actually going to drive?”

  “Yes.” He smiled at her. “It’s a short drive to my brother’s place.”

  “Are you going to tell me where it is yet?”

  “No. It’s a surprise, little love.” He leaned down to kiss her, and then he shut her door and walked over to the other side and got in.

  “What did Joseph see when he was holding Mia’s hand?” Caylee asked. “And don’t you dare try to tell me he didn’t see anything. I saw look on his face. He was shocked. Maybe even a bit worried about something.”

  Haden took a deep breath and sighed. “Mia has been keeping something very serious from you.” He paused. He was hoping to wait to tell her until he was certain Joseph could heal her. “I suspect that she’s kept it from everyone.”

  “What?”

  “She has bone cancer, Caylee.” He turned his head to look at her. “It’s very serious. She’s dying.”

  “No. It isn’t possible. Joseph is wrong,” Caylee said. “She doesn’t have cancer. She isn’t dying.”

  “He isn’t wrong.” Mia’s illness was a terrifying reminder of Caylee's frailty. She was still mortal, and danger was all around. Haden was failing her. Where the hell was his courage, his confidence? Why did the method of transforming her need to be so frightening, so brutal? “Joseph is already attempting to heal her, little love.” Haden paused. “It’s why he’s following her right now. We hid her presence today. There was no way Paul or any other vampire could’ve known that she was with us.”

  “He lied?” Caylee whispered, sounding hurt and confused.

  “He’s a demon, Caylee.” Haden’s voice was a low, threatening growl. He couldn’t hide the fact he was jealous. Believing her pain and confusion was caused by her faith in Joseph, he was irritated.

  Caylee leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. “I can’t believe she’s dying.”

  There was such deep sadness and pain in her voice it actually caused him to feel physical pain in his heart. He was a selfish idiot. Thankfully she hadn’t heard the jealously in his voice, Haden placed his palm on her thigh to impart peaceful, h
ealing energy into her.

  “She’s such a good friend, Haden.” She knew that by touching her leg he was trying to comfort her. She was thankful but felt guilty because it was working. How could she feel better when Mia was dying? “What if Mia makes Joseph so mad she pushes him away?”

  “It won’t happen.” He smiled at her. “Joseph is a very stubborn man. The meaner she is to him the bigger the smile he’ll be sporting. I know that he’ll do everything possible to help her. We will all help her. We won’t give up.”

  “What if it’s too late?”

  “It’s never too late, little love.”

  “I should’ve noticed.” The catch in her voice broke his heart. He knew she felt as if she’d failed Mia. “I don’t understand. She’s my best friend. Why didn’t I notice, Haden?” She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. “Why did she hide it from me?”

  “She loves you. She didn’t want you to know about it. She didn’t want you to worry. She’s an extremely strong, stubborn woman. She was determined to hide it from everyone.”

  “Mia is such a good person. She took Julie and Brianna in off the street. Julie was prostituting, and Brianna’s entire family died in a fire last year. Brianna is blind. She didn’t have anyone. Julie didn’t have anyone. They were without a hope until Mia intervened. I know that everyone dies, but I can’t stand the thought of her dying so young.”

  “We won’t allow it happen, little love.”

  ~ Eighteen ~

  “GET THE HELL out of here!” Backing away, Mia gripped her forearm to slow the blood seeping from it. Damn it. She was bleeding all over the place. And damn it, her favorite leather jacket was ruined.

  “You think that you can run from me?” Chad moved toward her. “The only way out of here is death.”

  She was thoroughly pissed off. If the son of a bitch wanted a fight, he was going to get one. She didn’t run away from anyone. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Well, Chad, if you want to die, I’ll happily arrange it for you.”

  “Oh come on, you don’t really believe that you can kill me, do you?” He laughed aloud, mocking her.

  The sound of his laughter made her want to strangle him. She tried to keep her eyes on the knife, but he was swinging it all over the place. How the hell had he taken the knife from her? He wasn’t a very large man, but he was strong. Too strong. She’d never allowed a man to disarm her. She was so pissed off at herself. She knew better than to allow him to corner her. She was losing too much blood. Her head was fuzzy. But damn it, if she was right, he was going to send her to hell. Well, she wasn’t going alone. She would take him down with her. Her thoughts were racing. She needed to focus. She needed a weapon. But what? She was way too far away from her gun.

  Chad tossed the knife a few feet away from them. He lunged and reached for her so quickly that his movement was a blur. “You’re going to die today, bitch!” He was so close, cornering her, that his saliva spattered all over her face.

  “Huh? Yuck. What the hell? You nasty little freak. Try brushing your teeth.” She wiped her face with the back of her hand, unintentionally smearing blood across her lips. “And you’re going to die first, asshole.”

  The enticing scent of her blood and alluring sight of it excited Chad. Fangs bursting, he inhaled deeply as he stared at the crimson-red blood smeared across her lips. His mouth was watering with anticipation, and his stomach clenched tightly. “I’m going to suck you dry.”

  Fangs? Oh, crap. A vampire. Yep. She’d suspected it a few weeks ago when they had their first encounter. She’d hoped for conformation, but this, being cornered, wasn’t the confirmation she was searching for. “Gee.” She rolled her eyes, pretending to be unconcerned. “Thanks for the offer, but not on our second date.”

  He squeezed his hands around her throat so hard she was certain her eyes were going to pop right out of the sockets. “You want a date, bitch?” His voice was an angry, lustful hiss. It was definitely inhumane.

  She fought for air but couldn’t get any. She didn’t panic. She refused to give him the satisfaction. He doubled his fist and hit her face hard. The back of her head banged against the wall. She was seeing stars. He still had one hand wrapped tightly around her throat. He moved closer, crowding her, using his body to press hers against the wall. He closed his eyes and groaned, savoring the sensation of her hot body pressed against his. Then he opened his eyes and held her gaze captive with his while grinding his cock against her belly.

  She was so shooting his mother-fucking ass as soon as she could figure out how the hell to get to her gun. “Are you serious? If that’s all the fucking dick you have, wake me up when you’re done.” He was squeezing her throat with so much pressure that she could barely get the words out. But damn it, she got them out.

  “You goddamn fucking bitch!” The scent of her blood was making him so crazy his entire body was trembling. “You’re going to regret interfering with my whore.”

  He was getting madder. She was definitely getting madder. “She isn’t a whore.” She braced herself, gathered every ounce of her strength, and kicked him in the balls. “And you don’t own her.” Stumbling back, his fingernails dug into her throat. He released her, but he quickly reached for her throat again. His hands were squeezing it. It was badly bruised and bleeding now. He yanked her head to the side to expose her neck. Leaning closer, he savored the scent of her blood.

  “I’ve should’ve known better. Kicking a man without balls is a total waste of time and effort.” Her voice was barely audible. Her vision was darkening. She was in serious trouble. She gasped. If she didn’t get some air she was going to pass out.

  Enraged, his gaze was locked onto hers. Snarling, he slowly leaned forward. He breathed deeply, inhaling her scent of her blood. It took a lot to freak Mia out, but she was freaked. She knew that she saw fangs. And his eyes had a strange red tint to them. He was a vampire. Her biggest problem wasn’t passing out. She was going to die if she didn’t fight. She was probably going to die anyways, but it would be much more satisfying to take him with her. She started to fight. She didn’t know how it happened, but she managed to get away from him. She dove for the knife, grabbed it, and rolled over onto her back. He pounced full weight on top of her. She thrust the knife into his back. He yelped, but he didn’t back up off her. He yanked the knife out of her hand.

  Chad pressed the knife against her throat. He leaned forward and licked the blood from her cheek. She twisted and turned. She kicked and hit him, fighting with every ounce of her strength to get out from underneath him, but he was too strong. He grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head to the side.

  She felt his teeth scraping her throat. She fought like hell and managed to squirm out from underneath him. “You son of a mother-fucking bitch!” She jumped onto him, doubled her fist, and hit him hard. “Keep your fucking hands off of me!”

  Chad threw her across the room and pounced on her again.

  ***

  Ready and eager for round two, Joseph walked into Mia’s Clothing Boutique. He immediately sensed the presence of a vampire. He glanced around quickly, taking in the information seen and unseen. He saw Mia’s purse and its contents scattered across the floor. He immediately scented sweat, human blood, and the foul odor of vampire blood. He felt waves of lust, fear, and rage. He used his mind to reach out and pinpoint Mia’s exact location in the building.

  Using supernatural speed, Joseph ran to the back of the boutique. In one swift, violent move he yanked Chad off Mia and slammed the vampire against the wall. He glanced at Mia, quickly but thoroughly assessing her condition. She was okay for the moment. Hurt, but okay.

  ***

  Mia rolled over and tried to sit up. Her heart was racing. She couldn’t quite catch her breath. Hands to her throat, she scooted back to lean against the wall. She recognized Joseph immediately. Her eyes were so heavy. Her lungs burned. She watched in a dazed state. Joseph seemed to have the upper hand, but she knew that it could change at any mome
nt. She needed to warn Joseph that Chad was a vampire. She needed to help him. She needed to get to her gun. She tried to stand up, but her head was spinning and she couldn’t get up. Her body was too heavy. She tried to talk, but she couldn’t get a sound out. Her throat was so badly bruised it felt as if it was crushed.

  She knew she wouldn’t make it to her gun. She saw the knife a few feet away. She could do it. She could get to the knife. On her hands and knees, she tried to get closer to it. Chad screamed. The sound of it was so inhuman, so frightening that her head snapped up to look at him. Hand around Chad’s throat, Joseph was holding him against the wall. Covered by iridescent black flames, Chad’s entire body was twisting and contorting. He kept screaming, his arms and legs flailing. The sound of his scream was like nothing she’d ever heard. It was so loud Mia had to cover her ears.

  Suddenly, Joseph wrenched Chad’s neck to the side. Mia heard it snap. The vampire’s head fell from its body and landed on the floor at Joseph’s feet. Joseph tossed the vampire’s body next to its head and then lifted his hands. Within seconds, vivid currents of electrical energy engulfed Joseph and then the vampire’s remains. It seemed like a short eternity, but within seconds the vampire’s remain burst into flames. Mia blinked, and there was nothing left of it. No ashes. No burn marks on the floor. There was absolute nothing.

  Mia looked up at Joseph. What the hell was he? She decided it would be a good idea to get the hell out of there. If Joseph was a vampire too, he was a hell of a lot stronger than Chad. She tried to stand up, but her head was fuzzy, and her knees simply buckled.

  Joseph turned to face her.

  It happened so fast she didn’t see him move. He was on his knee in front of her, touching her all over.

  Swallowing hard, reaching for her throat, Mia closed her eyes. “He’s a vampire,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

  Joseph forced her eyes open to look at her pupils. He knew she had a slight concussion. It was nothing serious, but it needed attention. “Was a vampire.” He was already sending healing energy into her body while wrapping one hand around her arm to stop the bleeding. “Did he cut you anywhere else?”