John The Deliverer

by Rhiannon Neeley

  "It's a picture of me at the reading I did last night. You know, at the library." Maddie felt like she was a teenager again, trying to explain why she was two hours late coming home.

  "Who is the man and what do they mean by 'Madison Woods knows her characters?'"

  Maddie laughed weakly. "Oh, it's just that the man in the picture resembles one of the characters in my book. Did you watch the Halloween Parade on TV, Father?" Anything to change the subject.

  "Yes, your mother and I did. You performed very well. But I'm concerned with this photo and this article in the newspaper. Are you seeing this 'hippie?'"

  Maddie clapped a hand over her mouth before she let out a huge laugh. Hippie? What decade was he living in?

  "Madison, I asked you a question."

  Maddie took a deep breath. "He's not a 'hippie,' Father. He is just someone who came to the reading. I only met him the other night. His name is John Raven."

  "You seem to be quite friendly in the photograph. You aren't reverting back to your teen years, I hope."

  Now she was mad. "No, Father. I'm a bit more responsible than that. You don't have to worry. I'll probably never see Raven again."

  "Good. Your sister Lauren's wedding is coming up in a few weeks and we don't want to spoil it with town gossip about you."

  Can this day get any better? She thought. "Don't worry, Father. I'm a grown woman now."

  "Goodbye, Madison." He hung up.

  Maddie pulled the receiver from her ear and held it out so she could glare at it. Oh, we would hate to cast dear sweet Lauren into a cesspool of gossip so close to her wedding day, wouldn't we? Maddie thought maliciously.. Would it never end, the rivalry between her and her sister? Lauren had had her parents' respect from the day she was born. Blond, blue-eyed and beautiful, Lauren was and still was their little angel. Never did anything wrong. Never got into trouble. And, to top it off, was marrying a doctor, for goodness sake.

  Maddie slammed the receiver on the hook. Well, she was not going to let the little bit of headway she had made with her parents go to waste. She would call the newspaper, find out who in the hell had written the article and--more importantly--had taken the picture.

  The phone rang again.

  Maddie groaned. She picked it up before it could ring again. "Hello."

  "It's me," Leah said in her ear, "Who took that picture?"

  "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

  "Don't call the newspaper."

  "Why?" Maddie frowned.

  "Because then you'll have to comment. And if you're as angry as you sound, you'd better cool off before you talk to them."

  Leah was right. It wouldn't do her any good to blow up at someone, especially someone who would print her words in the paper the next day. "Okay. I'll wait. But jeez, I feel like my privacy has been invaded."

  "Get used to it, Maddie. You're famous now."

  "Well let's hope my celebrity sells some books tonight," Maddie said.

  "Be there at 6:30 tonight. That way I can get you settled. The signing is supposed to start at seven."

  "I've got that hayride tonight at nine. We'll be done by then, won't we?" Maddie didn't want to miss the hayride. She wanted to blow off a little steam. Besides, maybe she would meet someone on the hayride who would look more normal in a picture with her. And who would take my mind off of Raven for more than a few minutes at a time, she thought.

  "We should be done by then. Unless we have people waiting in line to meet you."

  "I'll bet they're lined up right now," Maddie said, joking.

  "I wish. I'll talk to you tonight."

  Maddie hung up the phone and before it could ring again, placed the receiver on the kitchen table. She did not want to spend her whole day answering people's questions about Raven.

  Tinker brushed up against her leg and meowed for his breakfast. "All right," Maddie said. She fed the cat and headed into the bathroom to take a nice long shower. Then she would get some work done on her book in progress.

  If only she could get John Raven out of her head. She wondered if he would be at the book signing tonight. One part of her hoped he would be, but another hoped he'd steer clear.

  As she stepped into the warm spray of shower, Maddie brushed her fingers across her lips, remembering his kiss. It would make for some steamy love scenes in her next book if she could capture all the feelings she experienced when Raven had devoured her with his oh-so-sexy mouth. The rush of pure lust she had felt beneath his kiss moved through her body now and centered itself low in her belly. She wondered what it would feel like to have him here with her now, in the shower, with the water sluicing over their bodies...

  "Stop it!" she moaned out loud. She couldn't keep having sexual fantasies about the man and then expect to stay away from him.

  Maddie began washing her hair, hoping she would meet someone on the hayride tonight who would take her mind off John Raven.

  * * * *

  Raven opened the curtains that covered his hotel room window at 5:30 that afternoon. The sun wasn't quite down, but it didn't matter. The sky was a purplish bruise, clouds hanging low and threatening. It had rained during the day, lulling Raven to sleep. He had needed the rest.

  When he had returned to his room the night before, he had been too keyed up to sleep. His anger at Devlin Morse had simmered inside him most of the night. Then his mind drifted to the woman that was causing him so much trouble.

  Madison Woods.

  He had yet to ask her anything about how she had come across her vampire information. But the thought of questioning her on the matter completely escaped his mind every time he was near her. When he was near her, he wanted to reach out and touch her.

  This was going to have to stop. Devlin would be getting suspicious. Raven hadn't checked in with him yet, simply because he didn't have anything to report. But Raven would have to check in soon, if only to see how Eric was fairing.

  He stood at the window and watched the small trees that lined the parking lot sway in the breeze. A storm was brewing. Good. It would suit his unsettled mood.

  The phone rang.

  Raven turned to stare at it. Odd, he thought. No one knew he was here. He kept in contact with Dirk through the Internet, never by phone.

  The phone rang again.

  Raven strode across the room and snatched up the receiver, placing it to his ear. "I know you're there, Raven."

  Raven recognized the smooth voice of Devlin Morse. "How did you know where I was?"

  Devlin chuckled. "I have my ways."

  "What do you want Devlin? Where is Eric?"

  "Patience, Raven. Patience. I see that you've met your quarry."

  Raven slowly sucked in his breath. Devlin knew more than he should. "Yes. How did you find out?"

  "Why, a very nice photograph of you and the Woods woman was in the morning paper. There in River Bend. Haven't you seen it?"

  No, he hadn't. He wondered just how Devlin had. Raven began to pace. "What do you want, Devlin? I have some place to be."

  "What have you found out? Where did she get her information?" Devlin's voice had lowered an octave.

  "I'm working on it."

  "Just as I'll work on your brother if I don't get some information soon. I will not wait. Do I make myself clear?"

  "Don't threaten me, Devlin." Raven's irritation at not being within reach of Devlin was rising. If he could only get Eric out of there...

  "It's not you that I'm threatening, remember? Maybe, I should join you there in ... River Bend."

  "Where is Eric?" Raven wanted to climb through the phone line and strangle the monster.

  "Oh he's having a wonderful time with Claire. She will keep a watchful eye on him until you return."

  "She had better not do anything to him. Or she will answer to me." Raven could picture Claire, the only female of the Clutch, sinking her canines into Eric's neck. Eric wouldn't be able to resist. He was human, after all.

  "You worry so." Devlin's voice had turned sic
kly sweet. "You never know, those two may fall in love. You'll have to admit, there's something strangely different about you and your brother that sparks our interest. Especially Claire's."

  "I have to go." Raven wanted to end this conversation before he blew up.

  "Get my information for me, Raven." Devlin broke the connection.

  Raven threw the receiver across the room. It hit the wall with a thud and bounced onto the floor, issuing a 'beep, beep, beep' sound of the open line. Did Devlin suspect what he and Eric truly were?

  Raven shoved back his hair and picked up the receiver, placing it back in the cradle. Anger would do him no good at the moment. He checked his watch. Time to move. The signing would start soon and he wanted to be there.

  * * * *

  Maddie arrived at the mall with ten minutes to spare and saw it was packed, for a Monday night. Maddie had to dodge around children dressed in every costume imaginable. The parents lagged behind the children, window-shopping. Maddie quickly made her way through the crowd to Cover to Cover.

  When she reached the bookstore, Leah pulled her toward the back of the store and into her office. "I was beginning to wonder if you were side-tracked again."

  Maddie raised an eyebrow. "I was working on my next book. Time got away from me, that's all." Time and love scenes, Maddie thought.

  Leah slid Maddie's purse from her arm, shoved it into a desk drawer, then locked it. "Here," she said, removing a rose corsage from a gold foil box.

  "You didn't have to do that," Maddie said, as Leah pinned it on her sweater.

  "Yes, I did. You're my best friend and this is your time to shine." Leah grinned at her, her eyes bright.

  Maddie hugged her friend. "Thanks. You've always been the one I could count on."

  Leah patted her back. "Well, it's time to get the show on the road. Are you ready?"

  Maddie smiled. "I think so."

  As they moved toward the front of the store to the table set up for the book signing, Maddie tugged at Leah's sleeve. Leah turned, "What?'

  "This may sound silly," Maddie said, glancing around, "but do you have extra security on for tonight?"

  Leah laughed. "You bet we do. I think every off duty cop is roaming the Mall tonight. With the kids trick-or-treating and all." A look of concern flashed across her face. "Why? Are you worried about something?"

  Maddie shrugged. "Well..." Maybe she was being paranoid about Raven. All day long she had thought about him showing up here, during the signing. Thought about someone taking another picture. She was a little afraid of him, after Leah had put all of those thoughts of over-eager fans in her head. But Raven hadn't done anything to harm her, except kiss her within an inch of oblivion. But then, she still didn't know who he really was. Maybe he was some sort of weirdo with a vampire fetish. He couldn't actually 'be' a vampire, could he? Well, better to be safe than sorry. Her life was structured now, normal. She didn't want to mess it up by having someone print in the newspaper her involvement with a vampire wannabe. And after that kiss, Maddie was afraid if Raven got that close to her again, her body would override her mind. "I was thinking maybe Raven would show up."

  "The guy, huh? Are you that worried about him? Should I alert the police?" Leah asked.

  Maddie shook her head, her eyes searching the people milling about the store. "I don't think we have to go that far. But could you kind of keep an eye out? Watch my back, so to speak?"

  "No problem. If he shows up--and believe me, I'll recognize him--I'll let you know." Leah took her arm. "Now come on, your fans are waiting."

  The book signing went off without a hitch. Maddie had signed over thirty copies of When Glory Came Home, a grand number for the likes of River Bend. She had kept her eye out for Raven the whole time she sat at the table at the front of the store, her heart flickering every time she saw a man dressed in black. None of them turned out to be Raven. Maddie was relieved and strangely disappointed at the same time. Relieved she didn't have to deal with Raven in public again. Disappointed he hadn't shown up at all. Maybe he hadn't been as thrilled with the kiss they had shared last night as she was.

  Just as she was collecting her pens and things from the table, someone approached.

  "Ms. Woods? Madison Woods?" a man said.

  Maddie glanced up. The most striking man stood in front of the table, a copy of her book in his hand. He was tall, maybe six foot and lanky. His hair was pale blond and neatly cut and he had a face that was pleasant. But his eyes are what stood out. They were a striking shade of green, dark, almost pine in color. "Yes?" Maddie said, putting on her best smile. This man looked normal, even with those gorgeous eyes.

  He smiled and Maddie noticed his teeth were almost perfect. One of his canines overlapped the tooth next to it just the tiniest bit, but it in no way affected his inviting smile. "I'm so glad I caught you. I thought I was going to miss the signing completely," he said, handing her his copy of the book.

  "I'm glad you made it," Maddie said, opening the cover to the title page, "Mr...?"

  "I'm sorry." He held out his hand. Maddie took it in her own and was amazed at the coolness of his skin. He must have just come in from outside, Maddie thought.

  "My name is Devlin. Devlin Morse."

  "Nice to meet you, Mr. Morse," Maddie said, releasing the handshake. And it was nice to meet him. A normal-looking man, not dressed completely in black like a vampire wannabe. Maddie quickly signed the book with a flourish. "Here you go," she said, handing the book back to him. "I wouldn't have taken you for someone who reads romance, Mr. Morse."

  "It was the vampire connection that drew me. You'd be surprised how many of us there are out there. Men that read romance, I mean." The smile never left his face.

  " I never thought about it," Maddie said.

  "And please, call me Devlin."

  Maddie nodded.

  Devlin gestured toward the table. "Are you finished here?"

  "Yes. I am." He's got to be wearing contacts, Maddie thought. No one's eyes were that deep shade of green. Not naturally.

  "May I walk you to your car, then?" he asked.

  Maddie considered his offer for a moment, then she shrugged. "Yes. Thank you." She gathered up her things. "Would you wait for me here? I'll only be a minute."

  "I'd wait for you for an hour, Ms. Woods," he said. His smile grew wider.

  Leah met Madison and walked with her to the back of the store. "Who is the guy?"

  Maddie smiled. "I just met him. He's walking me to my car."

  They reached Leah's office. Leah opened her desk, retrieved Maddie's purse and handed it to her. "Do you think it's wise to let a stranger walk you to your car? I mean, you just met him."

  Maddie shouldered her purse. "Leah, the guy looks normal. He seems all right. And ... I'm a grown woman. If he tries anything, I'll kick him where it hurts."

  Leah smirked. "There's that wild side showing up again."

  "Listen," Leah said, "I'll be here for another hour and a half. Give me a call here and let me know how things turn out with the new guy." She motioned Maddie through the office door, then followed her.

  "If he doesn't ask me for coffee or something, I'm going to the hayride. I need to relax a little," Maddie said as they moved toward the front of the store.

  "Well, call me either way. What's the guy's name?"

  "Devlin Morse."

  "Sounds interesting." Leah touched her arm. "Just be careful."

  "I will." Maddie smiled and went to Devlin.

  "Ready?" he asked.

  Maddie nodded, and they walked into the mall. The crowd was thinning out, although a few children were still running around as their parents tried to corral them. Maddie kept stealing glances at Devlin.

  His eyes roamed, as though he was looking for someone. Maddie wondered if he was married and didn't wear a ring. Or maybe he had a girlfriend and didn't want to be seen with another woman. "Are you from River Bend, Devlin? I don't seem to recognize your name," Maddie said as they passed in front of the
jewelry store.

  "No. I'm from Chicago. Where is your car parked?" He trained his green eyes on her.

  "It's out back, behind the movie theaters. This way," she said, turning a corner. "I want to thank you for walking me to my car."

  "My pleasure." Again his eyes scanned the people milling about.

  Maddie frowned and followed his gaze as they approached the food court. Who was he looking for?

  Raven.

  Maddie sucked in her breath as she caught sight of the tall, dark man on the other side of the food court. The theaters were past the food court, the exit doors beyond that. Maddie picked up the pace, hoping Devlin would keep up with her. But it was too late. As she glanced again in Raven's direction, he caught her eye.

  The look on his face was one of rage. Maddie felt fear slide down her back. Was Raven angry because she was with another man? He looked as though he could actually hurt someone.

  Devlin took her arm, grasping it firmly. "You know him?" he asked, smiling in Raven's direction.

  They were leaving the food court now and moving past the theaters.. Raven kept pace with them. Soon, he would meet up with them in the hallway. "Sort of," Maddie said.

  Devlin chuckled and pulled her closer.

  Maddie looked up into his face. Why had he laughed? she wondered. It didn't take long to find out.

  "Let go of her, Devlin." Raven's voice was commanding.

  Devlin stopped in his tracks, his hand still on Maddie's arm.

  "Raven. So nice to see you." Devlin's eyes flashed a bright green.

  "I said, let go of her." Raven took a threatening step toward Devlin.

  Maddie searched the crowd for a police officer. Of course, there wasn't one in sight. "Look," she said, shaking off Devlin's hand and stepping between them, "Let's not make a scene. Raven, you have no right to tell Devlin to let go of me. And how do you know each other, anyway?"

  The two men towered over her, their eyes locked in silent battle, each looking as though he could lash out at any moment. Maddie fought the urge to place a hand on each one's chest and shove them apart. "Raven?" she asked, her voice shaky, betraying her growing fear of an altercation.