Tears were already sliding down my face.
“He refused to change as we did, and he was also shocked until he changed. He was a lion, but not African, like me. He was a North American lion, a cougar. Next to Fay and me, his form was a rare one. Gene was delighted. He’d been told to expect another African Lion, not a cougar. He sold him within a day. After they led him out in chains, I never saw him again.”
I was sobbing into Danial’s chest. “He’s dead. He’s dead, Danial.”
“You spoke to Theo,” Danial said through gritted teeth. “You knew of Sar.”
“Yes, we spoke,” Nineva said. “He said his name was Theopolis. He’d been taken during a fight. They’d mistaken him for the African lion, and shot the man by mistake. Gene had been promised a were, so his men took Theo, knowing he was some type of were by the fast healing gunshot wound on his arm.”
“Who was to blame?” Danial rasped out. “Who was behind this?”
“Theo said Peterson had set it up. The African Lion, a man named Will, told Peterson what you were for a small fee. Peterson then set up a meeting, planning in reality to test their weapons on you. Will never suspected Peterson had double-crossed him and was going to sell him off to Gene as soon as you had all been killed.”
“I saw how close the two men looked,” Danial said. “In the dark, it would be easy for Gene to mistake Theo for Will. When he saw them confronting one another, Gene acted to protect his investment, shooting Will instead of Theo. What else did Theo say?”
“He said he had to get free. He had a daughter, newly born to care for and a beautiful fiancée he loved. He’d sworn to come back to you, and he would do it or die trying. He said Sar was the most beautiful, funny, and loving woman he’d ever met. He told me how she’d saved his daughter, shielding her with her own body. He told me of you, Danial, that you were the most loyal and trustworthy man he’d ever met, despite you being vampire.”
I couldn’t take anymore. My heart was breaking all over again. “Please stop.”
“Go on,” Danial said with authority.
“There is nothing more,” Nineva said sadly.
“Finish it,” Danial growled. “Now, Nineva.”
“Before we left, Fay and I overheard Theo had been sold to a sadist, one who had a predilection for weres. According to Gene, Theo attacked the sadist the first time he tried anything. He was beaten within an inch of his life for it and then allowed to heal slightly. That would repeat itself until he finally died, Gene said. Then he was to be stuffed and mounted.”
“Do you have his name?” Danial hissed in a voice from the bowels of hell.
“Erik and Van found him, after torturing and killing Gene,” Nineva said. “He’s dead. They beat him to death with his own whip.”
“That gives Sar and I some comfort, to know justice has been done,” Danial said. “Did they find Theo’s body?”
“Although they searched the house and grounds, Van and Erik found no trace of Theo. The man had many were trophies, heads, skins, etc., even stuffed weres in their animal forms. There were no cougar trophies of any kind.”
A small part of me still had hope Theo was alive. The rest of me was weary, tired, and emotionally drained. At that moment, I gave up my last bit of hope and closed the love I felt for Theo away in a corner of my heart.
“That’s all,” Nineva said. “Now I’ve told you my tale, what do you intend to do with me, Lord?”
“You are a guest, not a prisoner. You may leave or stay here as you like,” Danial said after a moment. “You said you were a good fighter. I can always use help.”
“I will stay long enough to recover, but then I wish to return to Africa,” Nineva replied. “I am in your debt forever, Lord. Ask of me whatever you will, and I’ll do it gladly.”
Danial nodded, already on the phone to Terian. “Come and show Nineva to a spare room in the compound.” He hung up his cell. “Feel free to call your relatives tonight,” Danial said, putting his hand on Nineva’s shoulder. “Talk as long as you want to. We owe you for this information. Now we have another piece of the puzzle.”
Nineva nodded. “Thank you, Lord.”
Terian arrived in a few minutes, with Aran in tow. “Easy does it,” Terian said, helping Nineva to his feet. “Lean on us. We’ll transport you by car to your room.”
Danial shut the door after them, then came and picked me up in his arms. Instead of bringing me to bed, he placed me in front of the woodstove and started a fire.
“Stay here. I’m going to put Elle to bed. I’ll be right back.”
I nodded. There was no way I could open presents anytime soon. That would have to wait until tomorrow.
Danial strode away. I curled up in front of the fire. With so much going through my mind I cried a little, thinking about someone hurting Theo, my Theo, who’d been so funny, lovable, and brave. The minutes passed. Lulled by the fire’s warmth, I fell asleep.
I woke up to find Danial curled next to me, his arms around me. It took me a few seconds to wonder where I was, why my body was so still. Then all Nineva had said came rushing back.
“Danial?” I said in a tiny voice.
“Yes, Sar?”
“Tell me what happened that night.”
“It wasn’t pretty. I’ll tell you if you wish, but I want to forewarn you.”
“Tell me.”
“Theo, Lander, and I went to Peterson’s building to erase their computer files and demolish the building, planning on finding some of the attackers lying in wait. We weren’t disappointed. They were armed with their prototype guns. Lander was killed right off.
“Theo and I separated; I took the front way, and he the back. I got shot a few times, but drank from the men I killed and began healing at once. My body can heal bad wounds fast if I drink deeply.” He paused. “Yet there is only so much damage I can heal in a short time because in that time I can only drink and process a certain amount of blood. When I got shot again in the chest a few moments later, it slowed me down enough that I got shot twice more in succession. Luckily, Theo and I had gotten them all or so we thought. I loaded up the virus, launched it, and then got shot again in the chest. Theo killed the man who’d shot me and then helped me get to the street just as their servers were blown to pieces.”
“At the street, Theo told me to go. He said I was too wounded to help him anymore. He was worried we’d left you alone with no food or no guards. He said he would walk back because it wasn’t far or get a cab. He knew there was one more person at least in the back of the building. He said he couldn’t rest easy knowing they might try to hurt us again. Then he was gone. I made it back to you unseen by luck with the last of my strength.” He paused. “The rest you know.”
“Thank you for telling me,” I said.
“What Nineva described happened in the space of a few weeks at most,” Danial said, resigned. “Theo either escaped or was killed back in early August. He would have contacted us by now if he escaped.”
“I know. Please let’s not talk anymore tonight.”
Danial held me, and we sat watching the fire for some time in silence.
* * * *
The next day, I went through the motions of taking care of Elle and myself. She knew something was wrong, of course, but didn’t ask me straight out. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about her father. I was too busy working on getting from one moment to the next. Fortunately, Elle wanted to see Cia, who had delivered her baby boy, Aran Jr., a few days early. I let her go with little persuasion.
That evening when she returned with Terian, Elle opened her presents from Danial, Terian, and me. Danial and I had gotten her some books and toys, which she was excited about, but the best present was Terian’s. He had made her a potion for wings like the one he’d given me almost a year ago. Elle shrieked with joy, running around the great room, her huge butterfly wings knocking lamps and pictures over as I ran after her, trying to keep the chaos to a minimal level. It was her favorite gift. Her joy in her fi
rst Christmas cheered me even if the slight taint of sadness remained.
As Elle readied for bed, I pulled Danial aside. “I’ve got to talk to you. Elle went to see the baby earlier.”
“Good. Have you seen Aran Jr. yet?” Danial asked.
“Not yet,” I replied. “How is Cia doing? Aran’s got to be happy.”
“To my relief, the delivery was smooth, no problems. Aran is proud and seems to be inches taller now from gathering compliments from everyone on his son.”
“Elle wanted to see him badly. I think she’s lonely. I feel bad there isn’t anyone here for her to play with.” I turned to Danial. “Why haven’t there been any children before Aran, Jr.?”
“The werefoxes are all young, and I don’t encourage breeding without responsibility,” he answered. “Not that any of the current foxes are loose so to speak. I certainly don’t expect them to be celibate, but they live here for one reason; to watch my back. If they want to have families, they don’t enter this line of work, as a rule.”
He had a grim undertone. I changed the subject. “She said she had questions to ask you tonight. I thought you should know so we can discuss what to say and what not to say.”
Danial didn’t hesitate. “Sar, I think we have to think of Elle being about four to five years old. She clearly matured at the rate of a cougar and now is maturing much slower at the rate of a normal human child. She’s very smart, so she can handle the basic concept that Aran and Cia were in love, and Aran helped to make the baby in Cia.”
“I agree. I just don’t want to give her too much information and scare her.”
“Things were different growing up on a farm. Animals were around and it was easy to see nature and not have to talk a lot about it. My talk from my father involved having me watch him breed his favorite stallion and mare. When it was over, he asked me if I had any questions.”
“What did you say?” I said, curious.
“I told him I didn’t think I could stand up for long in that position, without falling over,” Danial said, laughing. “Come on, let’s go tuck her in.”
Right as we walked into her room, Elle asked the question I’d been dreading: “Mom, Danial, how did the baby get inside Cia in the first place?”
Danial glanced at me, then said, “Aran helped to make the baby in Cia, because he loved her.”
Elle switched her attention to me. “Mom, can you have another baby, if you wanted one?” Elle didn’t know I wasn’t her biological mother. I’d seen no reason to tell her until she asked. Now was the time.
“Elle, I have something to tell you,” I said, sitting down beside her. “I didn’t have you the way Cia had Aran Jr. You are Theo’s child, but you didn’t come from my body. You are the daughter of Tawny, a woman Theo knew in Europe.”
Elle was floored, but she did her best to hold it together. “Where is Tawny, Sar?”
“She’s dead, Elle. She died giving birth to you,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“But you are my mom?” she said.
“I’ll always be your mom,” I said, kissing her on the forehead. “It doesn’t matter that you didn’t come from my body. I love you, Elle.”
“Why?” she said, puzzled. “I’m not your child, Sar.”
Because you are Theo’s child and I loved him more than my life. Because I promised him I’d keep you safe. Because I see so much of him in you sometimes it hurts to look at you.
Danial nudged me gently.
“Because I love you,” I said. “You know Danial is not your real father, Elle, but he loves you just as much as Theo did. You are mine in all the ways that matter.”
“Can I still call you Mom?”
“Only if you want to,” I said, hugging her.
“I want to,” she said, hugging me back. Then she paused. “Can I call Danial ‘Dad’ then?”
Her hesitant question hit Danial with the weight of a train going full speed. He leaned heavily back against the wall, his eyes guarded, waiting for my answer.
Part of me desperately wanted her to call Danial “Dad” because it would make him so happy. Part of me rebelled against it, reserving that privilege for Theo alone. However, it wasn’t my call to make really; it was hers.
“If you want to,” I replied, trying to sound calm.
“I want to,” she said, turning to look at Danial. “Goodnight, Dad,” she said softly.
“Goodnight, my daughter,” he said emotionally. “Sleep well.” I moved to turn off the light.
“Could you have a baby, Sar, if you wanted one?”
“Yes,” I said, before thinking why she was asking.
“Could Danial help you make one?” Elle asked hopefully. “I’d like someone to play with.”
“Sar can have a baby easily, Elle, because she’s human,” Danial answered quickly, “but I am not. I can’t help to make a child inside her.”
“Why not?”
This was getting better and better. I sighed softly.
“Because I’m vampire,” Danial answered sadly. “Go to sleep, Daughter. Save your other questions for tomorrow.” He shut off the light and led me back to our bedroom.
“I’m sorry, Sar,” Danial said, stirring up the hot coals. “Sit down. I’ll put on some more logs.”
“I’m sorry, too,” I said, coming to hug him. “Thanks, I’m not ready to sleep yet.”
We sat before the fire, basking in its warmth as the logs caught. Suddenly, Danial brought out a box from behind his back and gave it to me. “Merry Christmas,” he said, grinning.
I opened the box to find some Godiva chocolate. “You have captured my heart, Danial,” I said, immediately seeped in chocolate lust. Tearing off the wrapping, I surveyed the contents, took out a piece, and ate it with relish. “How did you know I liked these?” I said, pleased.
“I asked Cia,” he said sheepishly. “She told me you liked them.”
I ate another piece and then put them aside before I exceeded my saturated fat RDA for the day. “Thank you. I have something for you, too,” I said, turning to him with finality.
“What is it?” Danial said anxiously.
I took his hand and looked into his dark eyes. “Danial, if you want to try again, I’ll try with you to have your child.”
He froze, staring at me. “Sar, please, don’t say it unless you mean it.”
“I mean it, Danial,” I said, kissing his hand. “This isn’t because of Elle’s talk tonight. I’ve been thinking about this for the last month.”
“What if we find Theo?” he said.
“We aren’t going to find him,” I said hopelessly. “It’s been almost six months.”
“Why do you want to now?” Danial said. “You didn’t want to before.”
“You didn’t give me a choice before,” I said carefully, trying not to fight with him. “I am getting older. You were right, there isn’t much time, especially if it takes a few years. Theo is dead, and he’s not coming back to me. I decided I want a child, if you’ll try with me to have one. I’m scared to, yes, but after how I feel about Elle, I want to try, before it’s too late and the chance to have one of my own, one of our own, is gone.”
“You know what this means to me, that you are offering to do this?” Danial said unevenly.
“I know,” I replied. “I want to do this for both of us. I see the way you are with Elle. You are a good father, Danial.”
“And you have made a good mother,” Danial said tenderly.
“I wonder sometimes,” I said sadly. “I think I could do better.”
“That is the sign you’re getting it right,” Danial said, hugging me close.
“Maybe.”
We fell silent for a few moments.
“I’m prepared to try,” Danial whispered gently, “but I have a condition. Actually, two.”
“What conditions?” I said uneasily, worried he was going to demand we Oath again.
“If you get pregnant, I expect you to do exactly what I say, no matter
how strange or unnecessary you think it is at the time, until our child is born.”
“That’s fair,” I said slowly. “I admit, I’m afraid. I’ve never been pregnant before, and I’ll need your help.”
“Which I’ll gladly give,” he assured me. “It means that if we find Theo somehow, or he comes back during that time, I will not let you see him, not until you’ve had our child. Not for any reason.”
“That’s fair too,” I sighed. “What’s the second condition?”
“If we should ever part, the child stays with me.” He paused. “I know in these modern times women are usually favored to retain custody. Understand, please, I say this because we are not oathed, and―”
“And I’ve left before,” I finished coolly. “I get it.”
“Do you?” Danial said bitterly. “I lost many loved ones over the years. Many of them met tragic ends. Some still haunt me hundreds of years later, but I’d not survive losing a child again.” He looked away. “I wouldn’t want to.”
“We already lost a child,” I said quietly.
“There is a difference between losing a child you’ve never spoken to or held and one you have,” he replied emotionally. “I hope you never have to experience that difference firsthand.”
“Are you worried I couldn’t handle it?” I said angrily. “You’re acting as though a woman raising a child alone increases its chance of dying. For God’s sake, you just told me I was a good mother.”
“You are,” he said soothingly. “I’m telling you, albeit rather badly, I couldn’t go through with this, have it work, and then have you decide one day you want to leave and take our baby with you. It would destroy me, Sar.”
“I promise you, right here and now, I will not do that,” I said resolutely.
“Then I will go to Terian tomorrow,” Danial said happily. “Come, we need to get some sleep. It will be dawn soon.”
* * * *
First thing the next morning, Danial summoned Terian to request the potion. Terian came straight from there to find me. We met a few hundred yards inside Danial’s woods on one of the many deer paths.
Taken in the Night Page 16