Forever As One

by Jackie Ivie

  Evangeline!

  His mind cried it for him. His feet might as well be entangled with bonds of iron. There wasn’t any flex to the power holding him, pulling him down into oblivion, without even a chance to see her again. He’d never again speak of his love. Never have the chance to prove it. His chest was a solid cage of hurt that just kept getting worse. Because he was doing exactly what everyone else did to her.

  He was leaving, too.

  “Dane?”

  Her voice arced through the darkness, separating the field of black closing in on him, and for a moment there, he thought he saw her. His beautiful, perfect Evangeline, her hands reaching out for him, grasping and then holding, her efforts doing little to alter the morass of black whirling about him. He’d thank the gods later. He could tell her why he wasn’t there for her.

  “I’m sorry, Frja. I—.”

  “You’re late for our wedding.”

  “Evangeline?” Damn weight. The name was broken. The pressure surrounding him was reaching chest crushing volume.

  “Call me girl names later.”

  “Len?”

  “In the flesh. Which is more than I can say for you. Looks like I got here right in time. You’re all smoke with just a little teeny light in the center. So, get a move on. Double time.”

  “How?”

  “Grab my hand. You need an invitation?”

  Len’s fingers tightened, inexorably hauling Dane from the black hole of nothingness. The room slowly came back into focus, the floor settling back into tile, the walls into rock. Dane stood in the center of a mass of shadow that finished rotating and then dissipated at his feet. He had to blink against the sudden onslaught of brightness. Len dropped his hand.

  “You in, then? Good thing I came to check on you. Vampires. Sheesh. Just when you least expect it, they need rescuing.”

  “This is…consecrated ground,” Dane mumbled.

  “Shouldn’t be. Don’t they have to unconsecrated sites before selling them? Or something? Must have had some lingering effects. Drastic ones. You look all right now. Oh shut up, Karakov, or I’ll help you fall on a knife.”

  “You could be right.” Dane stretched both arms wide, lifted off the floor, hovered a few inches above it. Nothing happened.

  “Why can’t bad guys have nice mansions with large swimming pools and hot and cold running blondes? That would be preferable to an ancient fortress with its very own chapel. You probably didn’t even know it had one, did—? Oh, shit!”

  The sound of a gunshot echoed through the chamber. Dane dropped and watched Serge’s body fall off the back of the stone slab. Len pitched a revolver after it. Then he looked over and shrugged.

  “Uh…suicide.”

  “Right.”

  “If you’d look close, you’ll notice the guy has a pretty sharp wooden stake in his hand. Don’t know where he got it. Or how. And I’m not telling where he was aiming, either. You figure it out.”

  “Suicide works for me,” Dane replied.

  “So. You about ready? I’m thinking we’d better get a move on. Wait a sec. I’ll just put in a 991 call…from my convenient non-traceable, throw-away, cell phone. I really love these things, don’t you?” The silence was interrupted by the sound of buttons and then an operator’s voice. Len waited for a count of three before hitting the mute button and pitching the phone onto Serge Karakov’s corpse. “That’s it. We’re done here. Move your ass, already. We got a boat to catch. Oh! Try and get your powers back before we reach the barricades. It’ll be easier.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  The lights went out at five minutes after twelve. Not before. Not midnight. After. Five minutes after. She’d known it was too good to be true, but that didn’t make it easier, and if she cried she was going to make all this eyeliner and mascara run. Damn men! Damn really gorgeous men! And totally damn Dane Morgan and his lying tongue!

  Evangeline lifted her head from the table as pitch black descended on the room. The wedding finery she’d picked out itched and it was too tight. No. That wasn’t true. It itched because she was wearing a little red lace demi-bra, matching thong, and lace-edged thigh-high silk stockings beneath the peach shaded gown. That’s what itched and reminded, adding to her self-flagellation. She’d rarely been so taken in. That’s what came of opening her heart; cracking it a little, because she’d trusted a man who set her senses soaring, her hormones into overdrive, and her emotions to a whole new realm.

  That just made the drop harder. And she was not going to cry!

  “Miss Evangeline Harper?”

  She jumped as a voice spoke from somewhere behind her, soothing and yet frightening in a simultaneous blend of sound. She’d never heard such a timbre, as if cavernous depths perfectly melded with soaring heights to create a ripple effect. The shivers on her body evidenced exactly how much ripple. One of the candles in her candelabra flickered into a weak spot of light, beckoning a glance.

  “Yes?” Her voice was barely audible. Whispered.

  “My name is Akron.”

  The candle flame flickered.

  “Akron.” She repeated it with a bland tone that didn’t resemble her at all. Vangie shook her head, cleared her throat, and started over. “Do I know you?”

  “Not yet. But you will. You worry needlessly, you know. He’ll be here.”

  “Who?”

  “Dane Monroe. I mean, Morgan.”

  “You know where he is?” Evangeline swiveled on the chair and narrowed her eyes. She couldn’t see anything beyond the scope of candle light. And the voice seemed to encompass the entire room.

  “Of course.”

  “He sent you?”

  “Not…exactly.”

  “Then, how do you know whether he’ll be here or not?”

  “Opinionated. Strong. Brave. And smart. Tell Dane I approve when he gets here, will you?”

  “What?”

  “His union with you. I heartily approve. Even if he didn’t follow orders.”

  “Follow orders? Are you his boss? Or…something along that line?”

  “Oh, no. Not me. We’re all self-employed. But he didn’t follow the creed. I know why. He was right to do so. Tell him that, too, when he gets here, will you?”

  “What makes you so sure he’s coming? It’s already past midnight.”

  “I’ve known him a very long time, Miss Harper. Very long. There isn’t a man with more dedication and integrity in him. He’s steeped in them. If he promises you something, it’s bankable. And I’m sure he’s coming because he told me you’re his mate. I believe him. We only get one mate, my dear. One.”

  Vangie gasped. She couldn’t hide it. She ducked her head to hide the emotion that was probably on her face and then lifted one of the peach grosgrain ribbons lacing the corset portion of her gown to pick at it.

  “You know much history, Miss Harper?”

  “Some.”

  “How about the dark side? You study that at all?”

  “Like what? War? Plague? Famine?”

  “Go darker.”

  Her chin lifted. “Alchemy? Uh…genocide?”

  “I’m afraid you’re in for a bit of a shock, Miss Harper.”

  “Shock me. Go ahead.”

  “Your Dane is not twenty-four years old. Or twenty-five, for that matter.”

  “I knew it! How old is he, then? Nineteen?”

  “One thousand and nineteen is closer.”

  “What?” Her heart stuttered. It matched her voice.

  “He’s immortal. So am I.”

  “All right. That’s it.” Vangie stood so rapidly, the dressing stool fell behind her. Her breath came rapidly with agitation, and there still wasn’t anything to see.

  “You don’t believe me?”

  “Of course not. I believe I’m having a really strange dream. It started last night at the Sex and Sunburn club, and it just keeps getting weirder and weirder. And you can tell him that for me when he gets here.”

  “You’re forgetting something, Miss
Harper.”

  “What? My common sense?”

  “You’re his mate. He only gets one. You. Or didn’t he tell you?”

  “He said…something along that line. But, it’s insane. All of it. Immortality is for fiction readers. And movies. It’s not real. The next thing you’ll tell me is he’s a Viking god or something.”

  “Actually, he’s a vampire.”

  Vangie snorted.

  “So am I.”

  “Do I really have to respond to that?” she asked.

  “Go ahead. Say whatever you like. It doesn’t alter facts. And it’s not going to change your future.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m head of an elite assassin group. The Vampire Assassin League. You’ve probably never heard of it, but trust me. We’re real. Covert. We can be bought for the right amount. We’ll kill anyone, but we make them pay. Draining blood is just our sideline. Draining bank accounts is a lot more enervating.”

  “I—.” Her voice just quit. Her heart wasn’t just stuttering, anymore. It hurt with every hard thud against her breastbone.

  “My firm accepted a contract for you, Miss Harper. Paid in full. From a Serge Karakov. He wants you dead. Apparently, he thought there might be a bit too much speculation attached to him if he handled it in-house. So, he hired us.”

  “That bastard!”

  “I take it you know the man?”

  “He was my boss.”

  “I see. Ah. I hear the craft approaching. Dane’s arrival is imminent, and that means I must go. You ready?”

  “You’re leaving, then?”

  “Do you love him, Miss Harper?”

  Vangie’s eyes closed and her heart stopped. It took a gasp to make it restart again.

  “Dane. The man who says you’re his mate. Do you love him?”

  “I—”

  “You’re dressed to marry him. I just want to know why. See…I’m a romantic sort. I like to believe true love conquers all. It rights my world, so to speak. So do you? Love him?”

  I don’t know. Love is so scary.

  “I haven’t been lucky enough to find my mate, Miss Harper. I may never be lucky enough. So…I have to sit on the sidelines and watch. And dream. And envy. It’s a simple question. Do you love him, or are you marrying him for what he has to offer?”

  “I’d never!”

  “He’s got a lot to offer. Financial security, for one. And there’s his physical attributes. I understand he’s rather nice-looking.”

  “What do you mean nice? He’s the most handsome thing on the planet. And I was worried over the decade or so of women he’s had sex with? Now, you’re adding in over a thousand years of uh…practice?”

  “Miss Harper. I haven’t been clear. Dane is a vampire. Our bodies are dead. So are our emotions. The only thing that can change any of that is finding our mate. You. Finding you gave Dane back what all creatures hanker for. You are the love of his afterlife. His love isn’t a lie. Please tell me it’s not one-sided. At least give me hope. That’s all I’m asking.”

  I love him. Everything went crystal clear and focused and perfectly calm, while a slight vibration trembled through her with the certainty. It was solid emotion and it was beautiful. Her eyes filled with tears she had to blink away. I love him!

  She didn’t say it aloud, but somehow he heard.

  “Good. Very good. You reassure me. You have no idea. Now, close your eyes like a good girl and think of your handsome groom-to-be. I promise not to hurt you.”

  And the next moment the candle blew out.

  o0o

  “We’re late.”

  Dane vaulted onto the deck of the ship from the cigar boat, leaving Len to the ladder. He’d gone for speed to reach the yacht, not skill. That gained him sea spray on clothing that was already stained with blood. He had to reach his suite and shower. Or at least change. Otherwise, she might faint if she saw him. He unbuttoned his shirt as he flew, racing the corridor. One flight of steps. Two.

  Damn it!

  Evangeline stood right in the doorway of his suite, her peach-shaded wedding gown highlighting a figure that already haunted him. There was something different about her. Something deep and illicit. It teased the edges of his sanity, instantly provoking a corporeal response he couldn’t fight.

  “Dane.”

  “Uh…”

  Words failed him. He watched as she moved a hand to his chest and planted it palm-down on his skin, right above where his heart should be beating. If he had one, and if it wasn’t dead. He searched the space between them for her pulse, so he could match it, and found nothing. No beat. No pulse. Nothing he could use to fake a heartbeat.

  “We had a visitor while you were out.”

  “Uh…”

  She’d moved somehow. Her body skimmed to the space right in front of his, sending a myriad of sparks that simulated contact. Heat reached out to him. Need pounded right through him. His canines lengthened despite his effort. She was too real. Too physical. Too perfect. Her scent aroused and stimulated as it dragged him nearer. Dane’s entire frame lurched toward her without one bit of help from him. Everything on him ratcheted right to full and ready, and completely desirous.

  “For the love of—. Whoa. Color me shocked.”

  Dane pulled Evangeline to him and swiveled to face Len, who slid the last two steps making a lot of noise as he joined them in the passage.

  “I knew there was a woman involved! I knew it. And I’m not surprised. You hit the jackpot, Babyface. She’s gorgeous.”

  Dane stiffened.

  “What? I’m not supposed to notice a beautiful woman when I see her? Very nice…even if she is a vampire.”

  “Who is this?” Evangeline asked, her voice low and sultry.

  “What did you just say?” Dane asked.

  “I said she’s beautiful - even if she is dead. No wonder we rushed things. Hi Sweetheart. Name’s Leonard. You can call me Len. Everyone else does. So. Where do I change?”

  “Change?” she asked.

  “Clothes. Change clothes. Around here, a man’s got to be specific. I’m going to guess we’re having a wedding. And I’m going to hazard I’m the best man. Tell me I’m wrong.”

  “Did he call you…Babyface?”

  The goddess in his arms giggled. And to get that reaction, he didn’t care what she called him. “Yeah.”

  “I like it. It fits.”

  “Could you two coo later? I’ve got a shower to take. And a tux to don. Yes?”

  Dane swiveled her in his arms, looked down, and caught the slightest tip of fangs from between her lips. “You’re…changed?”

  “I told you. We had a visitor. We had a long talk. Mainly about you. He said to tell you it’s all right. He’d have done the same thing. But a contract’s a contract.”

  “Akron was here?”

  “Shit.” That was Len. “This means I’m not as sneaky as I think I am. That’s crushing to the ego. Truly. I’m going to have to go lick my wounds somewhere.”

  “No. Everything’s fine. She’s a vampire. I’m looking at her.”

  The lightning flash of joy that arced through him took them both off the floor. Len looked very small as he tilted his head toward them and cleared his throat.

  “You want me to leave you two alone? I mean, what’s one more day of freedom, more or less?”

  “Freedom?”

  “He’s talking marriage, Frja. You and me. Together. As one. It’ll be forever. I swear.”

  “I have something to tell you.” Her voice went to a whisper as she nuzzled his neck. “It’s more than forever. I love you. You hear that, Babyface? I love you.”

  And with that, she bit him.

  -o0o-

  Jackie is an Alaskan author who crafts full-length Scot Historical novels for Kensington, while moonlighting with her paranormal series: Vampire Assassin league, available in ebook. She loves hearing from fans, who can contact her at www.jackieivie.com

  nbsp; Jackie Ivie, Forever As One