* * * * *
After a couple of weeks at home without any monster attacks Danielle felt like she could relax. She created paintings of the shire and the hobbit hovels. She knew they weren’t as accurate as she would have liked. She simply hadn’t had enough time to study them. But the happy-looking landscapes did help her forget the frightening pixies. And that was enough for now, plus she could sell these paintings and pull some of her own income. She went to the office, where Ethan was doing the budget, to show him her latest piece.
Danielle opened the door and stared as Ethan fumbled with something in his hands before stuffing it into a drawer, as if he were hiding it.
He sat upright and grinned, attempting to look innocent and completely flunking at it.
“What was that?”
“Nothing important.”
“You nearly dropped it.”
“You startled me, darling.”
“It looks to me like you’re hiding something.”
He visually swallowed.
“Ethan, it looked like a pair of glasses. Do you need reading glasses?”
His lips thinned as he guiltily pulled the drawer open and removed the item in question. Yes, they were glasses, and she bubbled into laughter.
Ethan confessed, “I required spectacles before I was turned. It seems that particular ailment has returned. I was mortified when I realized I needed a prescription.”
She swallowed, attempting to drown out the next set of snickers. “I still love you, even if you wear glasses.”
He stared at them as if they made him less of a man.
Maybe changing the subject would help. “Um, anyway … look what I painted.” She held the art in front of him, with one edge resting on the desk.
He squinted at it and then propped the glasses on his nose. Dang, he was cute with those on.
“It’s lovely. You’ve really captured the shire quite well.”
“Thank you. Do you think someone will buy it?” she said, though she was still thinking about the glasses and how good he looked wearing them. Setting the painting down onto the desk, she moved around it and dropped into his lap.
“Of course they would, but I think you should display it here.” His arms curved around her waist.
“I need something to do as a job, and I figure I won’t be allowed to get any work outside of the home, will I?” She ran one finger along the frame and then trailed her fingers through his hair.
“Unfortunately that wouldn’t be safe, though I would allow it, if things were … less perilous.” The pads of his fingers were traveling the length of her spine from her tailbone to her hair and back.
“Really? You’re not trapped in the Victorian era so much that you expect me to sit home and embroider pillows?”
Ethan laughed. “I’m modern enough.”
She caressed the rim of his glasses again. “And look how hip you look in spectacles.”
Smiling, Ethan said, “You’re quite fond of these, aren’t you?”
“Yes, they look really good on you. You shouldn’t have been ashamed of this need.” She could feel the smile on her face as she fanned her fingers over his chest and then palmed his pectoral muscle. That smile stretched further when she heard him hiss at the touch.
Ethan wasn’t smiling when he curled his hand around her nape and tugged her forward for a kiss. His lips were parted, his gaze was hungry. She could feel the cold rims touching her cheek when their mouths molded.
As they ended the kiss and simply snuggled, he said, “I suppose it doesn’t hurt too much to be mortal, even if I need the assistance of prescription eyewear.”
“Good, I’m glad you’re willing to stick it out.”
“All the way, baby. Till we’re old and gray!”
“With arthritis and carpal tunnel?”
“Yes, of course.”
“And hemorrhoids? And bunions?”
He chuckled. “Maybe you should stop before I’m scared half out of my wits.”
The phone rang then and Ethan answered it, listened intently for several beats and then hung up with an abrupt goodbye.
“Who was that?”
“Beon.”
“About?”
“The room is ready. We have two weeks…”
Chapter 11
The Cure
“Danielle…”
Not really listening, she stared blankly at the cement door with super thick steel hinges along the edge, and memories of the last time she’d faced a door like this flooded her mind. She knew there was another thirsty vampire inside. And she was supposed to go in there knowing that?
“Danielle, look at me, honey.”
Exhaling, she turned to face Ethan.
“Are you all right?”
“We’ll make certain you’re safe,” Max promised, not letting her answer. As he spoke, her gaze traveled over the men there to protect her: Ethan, Max, Beon, Seth, Cedric, and two of Ethan’s guards, Lance and Merrick, she thought.
Danielle nodded mutely. It didn’t help that she was remembering what Ethan was like consumed with lust for her blood: the sharp fangs exposed, the empty silver gaze, and the terrifying snarls that ripped from his chest. Certainly Nadia was going to be just the same ... just as dangerous.
“It’s time, Danielle, the sun set a couple of hours ago,” Beon said, his tone gentle.
She blew out another slow breath. “Okay.” Still she hesitated another moment before saying, “Let’s do this.”
“Are you certain, Danielle? Because I’m not,” Ethan said, clearly having second thoughts about this plan.
“She wants me to do it. You know that.”
“But, it’s just—”
A shake of her head silenced him. She understood what he was trying to say. While Nadia cared about Danielle as a friend, she didn’t love her like Ethan had and she might not be able to stop herself because of it. Brutally shoving those concerns aside Danielle squared her shoulders and said, “Please, let’s just get it over with.”
Beon reached around her, unlocked the door and then swung it open. Just like the dungeon in Lucas’ home, there was a second door before the final chamber, except it was better lit. She followed Ethan and the others inside. The sound of them there did give her some comfort, but she remained aware of the cold fact that she was the one who had to get the closest to this evil version of Nadia. She was expected to bite her and feared how Nadia might react to that. Ethan’s obvious hesitations didn’t help.
The clicking noises sounded loud and menacing when the second door unlocked and began to slide open. As a crack widened, an arm shot though the space, accompanied with a terrifying guttural growl. Beon slapped his hand over a button that halted the door. Ethan grabbed Danielle around the waist, shoved his way behind the other men, and sandwiched her between his body and the first door for safety. She was certain it hadn’t helped Ethan’s state of mind when she’d shrieked reflexively as the thirsty vampire’s arm appeared.
“No! No! I’ve changed my mind. I can’t allow this. I’ll do it,” Ethan said.
After what she’d just witnessed, she didn’t really want to do it either but said, “Ethan, she begged for me to be the one.”
“No!” Ethan bellowed again. “Beon, I’m doing this. Not Danielle!”
When Beon didn’t answer, Ethan continued. “You wouldn’t let Sophia do this,” he ground out.
Nadia hissed menacingly again, as if to prove his point.
Sighing, Beon replied, “You’re right. I’d never allow my wife near that.” After exhaling a measured breath, Beon added, “Very well, Ethan. You can do it.”
“I’m afraid I have to object,” Max said. “I’m sorry, Ethan, but I think it has to be her. If we send you in there she’ll kill you for going against her wishes. She cares for you, and would regret her actions, but she adores Danielle. She’s the only one Nadia will succumb to in this state. I believe she would submit to me as you did for Danielle, but I’m not mortal. It has to be Danielle
. I swear to you as a knight, we will not let Nadia harm her.”
Ethan cursed, clearly knowing Max was right, and punched the wall then hissed in pain as he cradled his bruising knuckles.
“You shouldn’t be here either. You’re just as susceptible—”
“I’ll be fine,” he shot back, almost angrily, and then his tone changed as though he regretted his firm response. “I-I need to be here. This isn’t safe for you…. It’s eating at me.”
“But we can trust them to protect us, right?”
With a frown and a groan, Ethan gathered her hand and turned to face the others. “All right, let’s go.”
“Nadia!” Beon shouted. “Move away from the door. Now!”
“Watch closely for her fangs, I don’t want them even touching you. And remember not to swallow. And don’t look into her eyes or let her breathe on you,” Ethan whispered, his fingers tightening round hers.
“I remember.” How could she forget?
As the door began to slide open again, Nadia did not move back but kept pushing further in toward them, snarling and bearing her fangs. The five vampires had to muscle her back while Danielle and Ethan followed them inside.
Suddenly Max turned and shoved them to the floor just as two books flew over their heads and slammed into the cement wall. Max then released them and darted for Nadia.
Once there, he held Nadia in an embrace while she struggled and growled, and he spoke softly to her trying to soothe her. It seemed to work, and he was able to release a slightly more calm, though panting Nadia. Crazed eyes locked onto Danielle. She avoided them. She’d seen enough to observe the hunger brewing in the depths of Nadia’s freaky and glowing stare. Bracing against one knee, she rose to her feet with Ethan at her side.
Looking at the books, Ethan shook his head and noted, “I knew that was a bad idea.”
“Nadia.” Danielle frowned at her barely audible voice. She cleared her throat and tried again, “You asked me to be here. Do you still want this? Do you still want to be mortal and released from this curse?”
“Yes,” she hissed in reply through clenched teeth.
Danielle blew one slow breath out and then disengaged herself from Ethan’s clutch. Slowly she moved in Nadia’s direction. The guards fanned out and surround them. They appeared ready to spring if Nadia made any violent moves toward Danielle. Nadia began to advance, and her movement forced Danielle to instinctively retreat around the bed in the center of the room. Nadia followed. They circled the bed, attention locked, muscles tensed.
“Will you let me bite you? It’s the only way to escape this curse. You must be willing.”
“I’m considering it … though you do smell ... delectable.”
“Stop thinking about that, Nadia. Lie down and let her bite you,” Ethan said from behind the guards who wouldn’t let him pass.
Nadia turned to him and took a few threatening steps. “The aroma coming off of you is just as appealing.”
“Nadia! Stop this—please let me bite you. Remember how badly you want to eat and enjoy food? You’ll get to have chocolate and tea. You won’t lust for blood any longer. Don’t you still want that?” Struggling for bravery she didn’t truly feel, Danielle moved toward Nadia again.
Nadia took advantage of this and streaked to Danielle, took her about the waist and threw her six feet in the air. She landed on the bed, and bounced, but soon Nadia was on top of her, pinning Danielle to the mattress, straddling her.
“No!” The men were there in a flash. Nadia’s arms and waist were captured and she was hauled from Danielle who scrambled off the other side of the bed, gasping.
With the guards distracted, Ethan ran to her and tugged her to his chest. “Did she hurt you?”
Danielle shook her head.
“I can’t let this happen. If she bites you...”
However, before she could reply Beon was removing Ethan’s hold on her and forcing him back.
“We have this under control, Ethan. Stop interfering or I’ll have you removed from the chamber.”
Ethan began to argue, but she couldn’t hear his words any longer, and her attention returned to Max and Nadia. Max had the thirsty vampire enveloped in a hug and he was talking down her rage again.
She laughed; it was a cold humorless sound. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Please, let her bite you, and I’ll follow. I swear to you, you won’t regret this. I’m begging you, Nadia.” Max’s words remained kind and gentle, despite the intensity of the situation.
Danielle lifted her chin and forced herself to near them.
Nadia noticed this immediately and shoved away from Max. “I’ll do it, Max. I’ll let her bite me, but you need to back off.”
Frowning, he did as she asked, but remained close enough to intervene again if necessary.
Suddenly Nadia snatched her by the throat, shoved her to the wall, and pinned her there with her lithe body.
“Damn it! You said you wouldn’t hurt her!” Max shouted and moved toward them again.
Holding out her hand Nadia said, “She’s not hurt. I didn’t hurt you, did I, Danielle?”
Danielle shook her head, always averting her gaze to the side. She wasn’t hurt, though she was terrified.
“Do it now, Danielle, or die…” Nadia hissed, and tipped her exposed throat toward Danielle.
She swallowed, then parted her lips and tried to lean toward Nadia’s neck. But she couldn’t reach. She couldn’t move with Nadia’s cold hand wrapped so snuggly around her neck.
Growling again, Nadia tightened the fingers holding her. And Danielle coughed as she struggled to get air into her pinched airway.
“Stop! You’re killing her!” Ethan screamed, and one glance in his direction told her they had to restrain him again.
But the rest of the men were moving closer, hands outstretched, ready to free Danielle again. Nadia shot out one open palm again, and then dropped the strangling hand from Danielle’s throat to her arm, still keeping her in place. “Stay back. Let her bite me. I-I’m not going to harm her.”
Nadia froze then, and Danielle knew it was like when Ethan had stopped himself. She knew Nadia would allow it this time. She didn’t hesitate in taking Nadia’s skin between her teeth. She ground them as she’d done when she bit Ethan and was able to break through and then taste Nadia’s sweet blood. She sucked, while clutching at Nadia as Nadia clutched at her.
Then she shoved Nadia away and fell to her knees. She dropped forward onto her hands and spat the blood onto the floor.
Danielle found it difficult to breathe, as she rubbed her neck. Ethan was there then, his hand on her shoulder. He shoved a water bottle under her nose. “Rinse. I’m not taking any chances.”
She took the bottle, tipped it to her lips, swished and then spat, then again, until she couldn’t taste blood any longer.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” rasped out and she winced at how her voice didn’t sound fine.
The other men had moved Nadia to the bed to finish her transformation from cursed to un-cursed.
* * * * *
About a week later, Nadia bit Max. But he didn’t fight like she had, and he was even calmer than Ethan had been. They figured it had to do with his knight training. He was simply in more control. Plus it was Nadia who did the deed, so that certainly could have been part of it.
Nadia apologized profusely for her violent behavior and seemed to be tortured with the memory of it every time she looked at Danielle. But she was clearly enjoying the gifts of being mortal as much as Ethan, and as much as Max.
There were many who wanted to be turned, but Ethan wouldn’t ever let Danielle bite anyone else after that. He and Max did it from that point on. Since Danielle didn’t really like the process, she didn’t mind. She still would have chosen to kiss a bumpy slimy toad rather than bite anyone.
Danielle sighed with relief when he returned to his old room at Beon’s bed and breakfast after another turning. She didn�
�t like waiting for him, always worrying he’d get bitten.
“This one was easy,” he told her, clearly responding to the distressed look on her face. “He only fought for a minute or two.”
“Good.”
“There shouldn’t be too many more after this, and we’ve decided that if they don’t submit after ten minutes then we’re kicking them out without being turned.”
Danielle sighed out a shaky breath.
He leaned toward her for a kiss, but she leaned away when she noticed his chin, “Um, you have a bit of—” She motioned over her face to show him where.
Ethan swiped angrily at the blood on his face. “Again! Why doesn’t anyone ever tell me?” He glanced down at himself and groaned. “Ah, man! I got my shirt. Every time I wear white!”
He launched from the settee and stomped toward the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.
When he returned, he shoved off the soiled shirt and gathered a clean one from his bag. “I brought a change of clothes this time. Biting with fangs was much tidier than these blunt mortal teeth.”
She had no idea what to say to that, but accepted his kiss this time.
Chapter 12
Fractured Bliss
Unfortunately, Ethan caught his first illness a month later. She could hear his groaning and complaining as she carried the bowl of soup up to their bedroom.
“I have hot soup for you. I promise it’ll make you feel better,” she said, stepping through the doorway.
“I can’t eat that,” he grumbled, tugging the sheets up under his chin as he shivered.
“I also brought medication to help bring your fever down, and it’ll soothe the achy muscles.” She tried to make her tone cheerful, though she knew how crappy he must feel suffering with his first bout of the flu after being an illness-free vampire for over a century.
“The dreaded lurgy is the absolute worst!”
“The lurgy what?”
“The dreaded flu!” Ethan wailed. “Honestly, how can one survive this torment?”
“I said it hurt being mortal. Suffering the effects of viruses is part of being human. I told you this before. Surely you’d been sick before you were turned.”
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