by Morgan Smith
¤¤¤¤
…Troy…
How much trouble could Jade get into if there was no way out of the house? It was a loaded question. Knowing her, she’d already managed to break a window and scale the trellis.
My gut told me to check on her, but I had a meeting that couldn’t be postponed. Marshal had five minutes.
The doorbell rang at 10:56. I sat behind my desk and pressed a button on the intercom.
“Who is it?”
“Marshal.”
“Come to the office.”
The front door unlocked with the touch of a button, leaving me to gaze at my favorite picture of Jade and me. It was taken a few months after we started dating on the same bench where she’d agreed to be my girlfriend.
I rubbed my hand down my jaw.
It may have taken three years, but I was finally about to have Jade in my life for good. No more separations, no more hiding. I just had to make sure it was safe.
That was where my best detective came in. The sound of his heartbeat accelerated as he walked through the house. Marshal was in his thirties, 6 feet tall, and 260 pounds. He may have been larger, but he knew I was not to be trifled with.
“Any developments since Chance escaped?” I asked once he closed the door.
“Some, but we haven’t found him yet. We’ve dealt with the guy who lost him and found your girl’s car. It was a few blocks from the coffee shop, now it’s in her driveway, safe and sound.”
“I’m glad you found it. She loves that car.”
He took the seat across from me. “As for the other thing, I’ve been digging through your family’s history and it seems Nikoli did father a child, Micah Mercalli. He was born around the same time as Christian’s son. While Christian focused on being a good father and looking for his brother, Nikoli poisoned his son against the other half of his family. He wouldn’t even give him the Montague name.”
“What else?”
“There aren’t a lot of details about Micah’s descendants, but it appears that as the curse flowed through Marcus’s blood, hatred flowed through Micah’s, and every relative since then.”
I rubbed my temples. “What of Angelique?” I was anxious to solve the mystery behind the Montague matriarch.
“That’s where things get fuzzy.”
I stood up, leaning my hands on the desk. “What do you mean ‘things get fuzzy’?”
“I looked through the newspapers, but couldn’t find any mention of her after that disastrous night. Perhaps the answers are at your family’s home.”
The likelihood of getting Jade to go back was slim, but I had to try. I sat down, rubbing my hand over my chin. “You’re right. That may be the best lead we have.”
Marshal leaned forward. “So how are things with the girl?”
“Things are going well; I just have to remind her how good we are together.” I pictured her leaning against the door.
“That’s good to hear, boss. She sounds like a fighter.”
¤¤¤¤
Jade
My anger came flooding back as I heard my name spoken behind the door. Pressing closer, I tried to make out the rest of the conversation, but I was losing my patience.
Grabbing the doorknob, I shoved it open without a second thought. Two sets of eyes found me, but Troy’s friend was the only one who looked startled. I entered into the room and looked around. It was a cozy office with recliners near the fireplace and two chairs in front of the large desk.
“Stop right there!” I said when Troy moved toward me.
My anger was slowly turning into fear as I thought about what might happen next.
Troy sat on the edge of his desk and smirked. He was wearing a black tailored vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and denim jeans.
I bet he enjoyed seeing himself in the mirror.
“I don’t have a reflection, remember, cher?”
Oh, yeah.
My eyes slid from his muscular arms to the amber ring that sparked like a flame.
How could I forget?
My eyes stayed on his chin, but I couldn’t avoid his gaze forever. I turned toward Troy’s guest. He looked studious with his short brown hair and glasses, but filled the whole chair with his large frame.
“Who are you?”
When he didn’t speak, I looked over his head to the pictures on the mantle. There were some of Troy and I, and a few candid shots of me.
Maybe he didn’t forget about me.
Troy’s hand glided down my arm. “How could I ever forget about you?” He slipped his arms around my waist. “You think I jest, but you mean more to me than anything else.”
My anger turned to suspicion. “So, who is he, and why were you talking about me?”
I pulled away and stared at Troy.
He motioned for the guy to stand up. “This is Marshal, my private detective and he only asked how things were going between us.”
I looked up at Marshal like a child in front of a bear. He was a couple inches short of Troy, but where Troy was lean and muscular; Marshal was built like a Grizzly.
“What are you investigating?”
Marshal looked at Troy.
“Can’t you speak for yourself?”
Troy chuckled, “Of course he can, but he’s bound by a confidentiality agreement.”
“Then, you tell me.”
“Whatever you want, cher—within reason, of course.” He turned toward Marshal and shook his hand. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Wait! You’re leaving?”
I didn’t want to be alone with my vampire ex-boyfriend.
The man paused to look at me before continuing to the door. “I only came to give Mr. Montague a report Ma’am.”
“Did you know he’s holding me here against my will?” I asked, hoping he had some compassion.
Troy stepped between us. “I’m sorry; she’s got a bit of an imagination. She hit her head the other night and probably still has a concussion.”
Although his back was to me, I could see the ring glowing with his irritation.
“Well, I hope you feel better. I’ll let myself out.” Marshal said as he shut the door.
Troy turned around and stared at me for a moment before taking a step. “What did you think he was going to do? Did you think he’d call the police? You can’t hold someone hostage if they want to be with you.”
“I don’t want that.”
He laughed. “You said it yourself, you love me. You’re just afraid of what I’ve become, but, I promise I’m the same as I was before, only better.”
“You say that, but you don’t consider how much being with you is hurting me. What if you leave again?”
“Don’t worry about that! I wouldn’t be able to leave you even if you want me to.”
My eyebrow rose. “Why not?”
Instead of responding, he stared at the floor as he trailed his finger along the desk.
My eyes couldn’t leave him as a scary concept entered my mind. “You did something, didn’t you?”
He looked up, his amber eyes bright and seductive as he held his hand out for me. “Come here.”
I shook my head, and ran for the door. He caught me and turned me around. “Why wouldn’t you be able to leave if I wanted you to?”
His seductive smile had a wicked edge.
“Tell me,” I demanded, afraid I already knew the answer. “What happened to the cut on my forehead?”
“I said I could make it go away.”
“Yes, but how did you make that happen?”
His eyes sought mine, but I closed them, shivering as his lips touched my cheek. “I mixed our blood.”
My eyes flew open. “How? When? W-why?” I gulped, almost too afraid to hear the answer. “What about this necklace that won’t come off?”
Troy chuckled as he tucked a curl behind my ear. “How? Well, I bit my lip and then kissed you, giving you a few drops of my blood before the cut healed. When? Last night on the couch; and as for
why? Well, I’m selfish Jade, I don’t want to wait an eternity for you to realize you don’t want to be without me! I’m tired of watching you lie to yourself. This way, you’ll be drawn to me no matter what.” His fingers grazed my throat. “And the necklace? Well, would you believe me if I told you that it also binds us? This way you will always have a piece of me with you.”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
He ran his finger down my jaw. “I will always be able to find you.” He moved back. “You can go home, but you’ll think about me, crave me.”
“Why?” I could barely breathe. I wanted to focus on the part about me going home, but I was afraid of everything else.
“You can ignore your feelings, but your body is going to remind you of your denial. I’m letting you go because I know you’ll come back. ”
My insides were in turmoil. A small part of me wanted him to make me stay so I could pretend I didn’t have a choice.
“Right, you’re just going to let me go, like this?” I waved a hand in front of my robe.
He eyed my curves and took my hand. “Let’s get you some clothes, then.” His voice was deep, tinged with regret and maybe lust. I followed him through the house, anxious to see if he would really let me go.
JADED
Her love
Means more than life itself.
A true beauty,
She shines like nothing else.
Her mind
And spirit is more than unique.
Her love…
As precious as an antique.
I see her here
And think I’ve won…
For she has no idea
What I’ve done.
But,
How can this love truly last…
When we’ve both been
Jaded by the past.
-Troy
Chapter 26
I paused in the doorway, overcome by nerves. If he was going to let me leave, I wanted to get gone before he changed his mind.
“Stop second-guessing it. You’ll come back of your own free will and then you can finally stop denying your feelings.”
“Right,” I muttered as I sat on the couch.
Troy cheated. If I returned, it would be because he drugged me with his blood.
He went to the dresser, removed shoes, jeans, a t-shirt, and a coat and laid them next to me. I studied him as he knelt at my feet.
This man was handsome, endearing, and could be mine if I wanted, so what was my problem?
My eyes traveled over him until they met his piercing gaze, and then I remembered exactly what his flaw was.
If only he was mortal.
Troy lifted my chin. “Then what, Jade? You had a hard time believing I loved you the first time around, and I was mortal then.” He sat back and rubbed a hand over his face. “What can I do to convince you?” He closed his eyes. “You don’t have to be afraid to love me.”
I tried to remain strong, but he was getting to me. His words, his voice; everything about him was wearing away my defenses.
“I can’t do this.” I grabbed the clothes and ran for the bathroom. As I dressed, I looked at the mirror one more time, realizing that it was the only one I’d seen.
Why would he have a mirror if he couldn’t see himself?
When I entered the room, Troy was facing the fireplace with his head down. I moved to the right. The gold picture frame in his hands didn’t match the black theme on the mantle. My curiosity pulled me forward even though my mind demanded I leave.
A moment later, he laid it face down and turned around. I moved toward him, lured by his solemn expression.
Was it because of me? And what picture was he looking at?
I paused a few feet away, seized by his beauty and all the memories of our past. He used to be the person who mattered most.
Could I really cut him out of my heart?
I closed the distance between us. “Why do you have a mirror in the bathroom if you don’t cast a reflection?”
“You need a mirror.”
“What?”
His gaze warmed me from head to toe. “I figured you’d need a mirror to do your hair and brush your teeth. I knew you’d want one.”
I can’t really identify all the feelings, but they melted my heart. “Why would you do that?”
“I came back here for you. I knew it would take a lot of coaxing to get you to forgive me and let down your guard, but I never considered you’d fight this hard.”
“What will you do now?”
He looked desolate as he sat in the chair a few feet away. “What else can I do but wait for you to change your mind? You already have my heart and soul.”
I glared at him.
Was he trying to be funny? There was no chuckle or mischievous smirk, so maybe he meant it.
“Is that why you came back?” I sat on the arm of the chair.
“I meant what I said in the beginning. You are perfect for me.” He cupped my cheek.
“Your power frightens me.”
Troy dropped his hand as if I’d burned him. “A part of me doesn’t blame you.”
“No, you can’t.” I caught it and kissed his palm. “This whole time, I’ve been worried about how much you’ve changed, but I forgot to take note of how much of you is the same.”
“My love for you has only intensified.”
I nod. “I want to try to share my life with you. Pushing you away hurts more than when I thought you were dead.”
He pulled me onto his lap. “Love is the strongest emotion. It can’t be ignored or buried. It transcends.”
Together
Common sense tells me
We shouldn’t be.
After all,
You are totally different
From me.
I find myself giving in…
To the thought of you
In my life again.
In my heart,
You’ve made yourself
At home.
Now,
I feel as though we really
Belong.
-Jade
Chapter 27
“So how are you guys?” Faith pushed her lunch tray aside and leaned closer. “It’s been a week right?”
Mariah shook her head. “If my boyfriend came back from the dead, I’d have a hard time adjusting.”
She had no idea.
The other day, I woke up, terrified when I saw him leaning over me, but I don’t want to discuss it with them. Troy has been helping me cope by convincing me to spend every free second with him.
We’ve even gone out with my friends a few times, but he hated when they tiptoed around the past. They treated him like a prince who defeated evil and found his way home, but I knew the truth.
He was the monster in this tale.
Amelia smiled. She knew what he was, but Faith and Mariah had been happy to hear that “vampires” didn’t really exist.
Didn’t they find it odd that we had to go out after sunset unless it was cloudy? If so, they hadn’t mentioned it.
Compared to Faith’s boyfriend Tyler and Mariah’s guy, whom she lovingly refers to as Cricket, Troy is an enigma.
“You know Halloween is tomorrow,” I said, tapping my planner with an orange fingernail.
“Yep, Troy’s masquerade party is also tomorrow.”
I smiled at Faith. “Oh, you’re right!”
Our table erupted in laughter.
“You’re all going to come right?”
Amelia and Faith nodded. “Yes! We’re all coming… the whole book club,” Amelia shook her head. “This is the third time you’ve asked, you know.”
Faith leaned forward. “Do you realize you guys are following the same pattern as last time?”
I rubbed my chin. “Oh, you’re right!”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed. “You really haven’t notice how déjà vu it is?”
“Trust me, things are definitely different, but I’m sure Troy is aware of everything.”
Amelia laughed. “I’m sure he is.”
“Well, I need to make sure my costume is finished.” I got to my feet and exchanged hugs with my three best friends.
“What are you going as, anyway?” Faith whispered.
I rubbed my palms together. “I stumbled upon a gorgeous dress at Costume Emporium, so I’m going as revitalized version of Christine.
Mariah rubbed her forehead. “Umm, didn’t you guys already do The Phantom of the Opera?”
“Yeah, but if you stop talking so loud no one else will remember that!”
Amelia smiled. “You know what they say about history….”
Faith cocked her head to the side. “What do they say?”
“Those who don’t pay attention the first time are doomed to repeat it,” We both replied.
“See you guys tomorrow!”
My mother’s dehydrated orchid beckoned, but my thoughts chained me to the steering wheel.
Somehow, I had accepted Troy’s death easier than his return. That wasn’t surprising since the list of differences got longer by the day. He was flesh and blood with a heart and soul—that should be enough for me, but could I really look past his vampire upgrade? I was trying.
I grabbed the garment bag from my backseat as the last bits of purple and orange faded from the night’s sky. Unease followed as I made my way to the porch. Pausing at the first step, I listened for the usual signs of life, but the crickets and night crawlers were nowhere around. A breeze lifted my hair as it caressed my skin. It was nice, but couldn’t distract me from feeling his gaze.
“How long have you been here?” My skin was on fire, but the cold key kept things in perspective.
“Long enough,” said the shadow.
My hand shook slightly, but my voice held steady. “Nothing better to do?”
“I worry about your safety.”