“It’s fine with me,” Tony said.
“I’m going to visit your mother,” I said, getting up from the sofa.
I went to the bedroom and got dressed. Stopping in the doorway of the spare bedroom, I followed the trees to the place where I saw the woman. She wasn’t anywhere to been seen. Confident I wouldn’t see her, I headed over to visit Jennifer.
As I walked over to the house, I kept looking back toward the trees. I knew someone was watching, but when I looked, I didn’t see anything. Before knocking on the door, I glanced one more time at the trees, nothing.
Reaching for the door, Jennifer opened it. I jumped and so did she.
“I wasn’t expecting company,” she said, when she caught her breath.
“I’m sorry. I guess we scared each other.”
“Please come in,” she said.
“I just popped over to invite you to a surprise party, which my friend Kelli is having for our friend MaryAnn. Would you like to come and meet everyone?”
“I’d love to Jess, when is it dear?”
“Kelli hasn’t decided.”
“When you know tell me, okay.”
“Okay, I will.”
“What does MaryAnn like? Jennifer asked.
“She loves candles.”
“I’ll find her something nice.”
“I have to go and do some shopping. I only came over to invite you to the party,” I said.
“Thanks for inviting me and I’ll see you soon.”
As I was leaving to go home, a car pulled up in the driveway. Victor got out, nodded at me and then went straight into the house. I smiled at him and headed home.
“You’re father arrived a few minutes ago,” I told Tony when I walked inside.
“I’ll go and visit him,” Tony said. “I’ll be back later.”
“Enjoy your visit.”
Tony left and I watched him walk over to the house. Knowing Tony and Victor would be awhile, I drew me a bath. The water was perfect and helped me relax. After my bath, I dressed then headed to Portland to shop for MaryAnn’s birthday present. I stopped for a bite at a fast food restaurant. It was late when I got home. There was no sign of Tony. He must still be visiting his father, I thought. So, I put my purchases away in the hall closet.
Chapter Seventeen
Victor Mureaux was born to Matthew and Margie (Holcomb) Mureaux, August 18, 1867, a normal child. His parents discovered at the age of three, he could read minds. It was hard to keep secrets and birthdays and Christmas gifts from him.
At the age of ten, his father died from a bad case of pneumonia. Growing up without his father he quickly became head of the household. A lot of responsibilities fell on his shoulders at sixteen when his mother died, leaving him to fend for himself.
Victor was alone but content, he never left the house. Once a month, he made a trip into town for his purchases. These would last until his next trip.
When Victor was twenty years old, he found his grandfather wandering out in the yard at sunset. Glad his grandfather was back, he went to greet him. His grandfather turned his back to Victor while they talked. He wouldn’t face Victor, ashamed of being a vampire and his infidelity to Catherine. He’d forever be haunted for causing his beloved Catherine to leave this earth early. Victor saw the pain that his grandfather had endured and reached out for him to help. But William pushed him lightly away. Victor grabbed onto his arm making William look him in the eyes. Victor was frightened by his grandfather’s looks, questioning him without an answer. He skin so pale, and eyes as red as blood. Victor loosened his hold and ran.
One particular night, his grandfather returned home from a night of hunting. Victor watched from a window on the second floor as William ran and jumped toward the third floor. Curious, Victor went to the third floor.
Confronting his grandfather about what he saw, he asked his grandfather to make him a vampire. His grandfather didn’t want Victor to have immortality, but made Victor promise to never tell a soul. Victor told his grandfather he wouldn’t breathe a word to anyone if he made him a vampire. If he didn’t, he would tell all of London. He wanted to be able to run and jump like his grandfather. Many discussions took place before his grandfather gave him immortality.
Victor never regretted the decision. He was twenty-one when he became a vampire.
Thirsty, I went to the kitchen to get a soda from the refrigerator and softly heard my name. Looking around, I was the only one in the kitchen. In the middle of getting a soda, I suddenly stood up feeling I was being watched. Setting my drink on the counter, I went to the backdoor, opened it, and looked around. I didn’t see anything. Shaking it off, I grabbed my drink and left the kitchen hearing my name again. Stopping in the hall, I turned to see who called me. Tony was in his recliner. “Did you call me?” I asked.
“No, sweetie, I didn’t.”
Shrugging it off, I continued down the hall stopping outside the spare bedroom.
“Jessica!”
I froze.
Standing at the window was the woman, smiling with her finger pointing at me. I looked back behind me then back to the window.
“Come to me,” she whispered pointing toward the latch.
Walking over to the window I unlatched it. Then Tony came in the room.
“What are you doing?” he asked, coming over to me.
“The woman is back. She wants me to go to her,” I said, opening the window. My eyes were fixated on the woman looking at me from the trees. She smiled, and I smiled back.
Tony looked out the window. Not seeing anything he said, “That’s it!” He closed the window and locked it.
“She’s out there. Over in the trees,” I said, staring at the window.
“I’ll see for myself, if you don’t mind. You stay…. never mind. You’ll be here when I get back,” he said, leaving the room.
I unlatched the window and opened it keeping my eyes on the woman.
Tony went out in the backyard. He looked everywhere, but couldn’t find any one. He came back in the house and into the bedroom.
“Jess, I know you’re seeing something, but what?” he asked, coming over to me. He closed the window latching it again.
“She’s there in the trees.”
Tony looked toward the trees.
“She’s waiting for me.”
“Jess, I don’t see anyone.”
I pointed to a tree the woman was standing behind. Tony looked but didn’t see anyone.
“You need out of this…..whatever it is,” he said, picking me up like a baby.
Tony carried me to the bathroom, set me in the bathtub and turned on the cold water.
I gasped for air as the cold water suddenly hit me, jerking up only to have Tony’s hand firmly push me back down into the tub.
Shaking my head with a funny look, I asked, “What are you doing? It’s cold and why am I in the bathtub?”
Tony walked away from the bathtub. I stood up turning off the water. Looking back to him, he handed me a towel, left the room and returned with a change of clothes.
I undressed and towel dried my hair with Tony watching me.
“Why was I in the tub?” I asked him again.
Shrugging his shoulders, he finally said, “I guess you wanted a shower with your clothes on.”
“Well, next time I should take my clothes off first.”
“You should.”
Tony knew something was in the backyard, but what?
I went to the living room. The television was on and I reached for the remote turning it off before I sat down. Crossing my arms, I thought about the woman outside. Tony came into the living room and sat beside me.
“Jess, I believe you about someone being out there, but this is getting crazy.”
I closed my eyes. Tony was beginning to see that whoever was out there influenced me. I wasn’t furious with him for putting me in the tub. Actually I thought it was funny and worked hard to keep from laughing. With my eyes closed, I saw the woman at
the window with her red eyes. I hurried and opened my eyes. Tony was looking at me.
“I’m sorry about the tub. You looked like your mind was on another planet.”
“It seems like that, doesn’t it? I look at her eyes and it’s like being in a trance, but I hear every word you say. Then you’re snapping me back to reality. I can’t make heads or tails out of it. I grabbed Tony in my arms and hugged him tight.
“It’s late, sweetie lets go to bed.”
Tony stood with his hand stretched and I saw the woman’s hand.
“Jess, come on. It’s late.”
Blinking I looked at Tony and followed his arm to his hand with my eyes. Taking his hand, we walked together to the bedroom.
I wasn’t tired.
Knowing Tony couldn’t sleep without me, I got up. Before he could ask me where I was going, I hurried down the hall to the kitchen, grabbed a glass and filled it with water. Making sure my back was to the doorway, I heard him coming down the hall. Gently I set the glass on the counter and waited for him to wrap his arms around me. I smiled.
“Jess, are you okay?” he asked, putting his arms around me.
“I was thirsty.”
“Let’s go back to bed.”
“In a minute, I haven’t gotten my drink yet.”
He let go of me. I picked up the glass off the counter. Taking a drink, I sat the glass back down. I turned back to Tony and hugged him. He hugged me back.
“You are my world, and I would walk to the ends of the earth for you,” he whispered with light kisses on my neck.
Wrapping my arms around him, I held him tight against me. I didn’t deserve him. He was too good for me, no matter what the circumstance.
“Jess, look at me, please,” he whispered, softly.
I released my hug and looked at him.
“I’m so sorry for saying you were hallucinating. I’ll never doubt your word again.”
“So you believe me about the woman in the trees?”
“I believe something is out there. What, I don’t know. But I believe you.”
He picked me up and carried me to the bedroom. He laid me down softly and went to his side of the bed. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him kissing my head. Turning to him, I lightly kissed his neck with a tooth or two. Tony responded with a growl not as deep as the other growl’s I’ve heard. He is truly my dhampir. Together, we had a deep sensual moment, then, wrapped in each other’s arms, we fell asleep.
Jessica has unlatched the window. Coming out from behind the tree, I went to the window. Trying the window it was locked. “No it can’t be. I saw her unlatch it. I bet Tony locked it back,” she said between clinched teeth. “Maybe…the front door is unlocked.” Going around the house, I checked the windows seeing if I could find Jessica. I stopped outside the bedroom window and heard Tony and Jessica making love. Leaning against the wall, I waited until the noise ceased. “The front door is always unlocked,” I whispered. Making my way to it, I found it locked too.
I went back to the trees. “Tony has been a thorn in my side for too long now. I’m going to get rid of him,” I chuckled.
Slithering up the tree until I was at the fork, I watch the house. “Jessica will be in my arms and Tony will see her,” I whispered and smiled wide. “I want Tony to watch as I sink my fangs into her and take her into immortality. Tony will try and stop me, but my fangs will be embedded deep into Jessica’s vein and my venom will start to spread,” I whispered loudly. “I’ll take care of Tony after I know my venom is well into her system. One strike with my fang and Tony will die. He’ll bleed to death.” I whispered with anticipation.
“Yes that will work. Now I have to get her away from Tony to make her mine forever.”
In the morning, Tony was propped up on his elbow, looked at me naked without moving. I placed a small kiss on his lips. He didn’t acknowledge me. Keeping his eyes on me, it started bothering me, but I didn’t care. He was my Tony and I loved him with every fiber of my being. Getting out of bed, I could feel Tony’s eyes on me.
In the doorway, I looked back at him, smiled and went to the kitchen.
After putting on the coffee to brew, I sat down at the table. I looked out the window toward the trees in the backyard. The woman was hanging in the trees, looking toward the back of the house
I got up, poured myself a cup, sat back down at the table and watched the woman in the trees.
Tony came around the corner, glanced at me and went to the refrigerator. Taking out a flask, he took a drink, before closing the door. He came to the table and sat down.
He turned toward the trees and stiffened when he saw the woman in the trees looking toward the house. He looked at me to see if I was paying attention. I was, but I pretended that I wasn’t. Smiling inside because now he would believe me, but out of the corner of my eye I saw him stiffen and knew he saw her. I wasn’t going to tell him I could see her.
Finishing my coffee, I got up to get another cup. The woman was still in the trees. Tony watched as she turned and disappeared.
Tony would no longer doubt me about the woman in the backyard.
Getting up from the table, Tony wrapped his arms around me. “Let’s go and visit mother and father,” he said, releasing me. We dressed and walked hand in hand over to their house.
Jennifer came from the kitchen. “How are you this morning?” she asked.
“We’re fine, mother.” Tony looked at me and winked. “Where’s father? I need a word with him.”
“I’m here, son,” his father said, from behind us. I jumped because I wasn’t expecting him to be right behind me.
“Would you care for some coffee? I just made some,” Jennifer offered.
“I would love some, thank you.”
I followed Jennifer to the kitchen. She poured us a cup, and we went to sit at the table. Tony and Victor went out in the backyard.
“Father, Charlotte is here in Mayville. She’s been showing herself to Jess. Apparently she hasn’t given up on her. I don’t know much about her except she turned my great-grandfather into a vampire. I haven’t figured out why she’s so obsessed with Jess.”
“Son, Charlotte is truly an adventurous woman. She always gets what she wants. Jessica went to that part of the house and left her scent. Jessica has a wonderful rose scent radiating from her skin. Charlotte’s favorite flower is roses, and that’s why she’s attracted to and wants Jessica.”
“Jess does have a wonderful rose smell radiating from her skin. It emits during, well, intimacy the best,” Tony said remembering the fragrance.
“Son, Jessica has a very mouth-watering rose scent. You’re vampire senses are showing their inherited traits. All this time I thought you only inherited my hard skin and the ability to drink blood. When Jessica is around, haven’t you noticed I keep my distance? ”
“What are we going to do about Charlotte?”
“Keep your eye on Jessica. Do not let her out of your sight. I will think about this situation and come up with a solution. Do not worry, my son, I will find a way to destroy her. She’s been a thorn in my side for too long and it has to end.”
“Thank you, father, I will keep my eye on Jess always,” Tony promised.
“Let’s get back in the house.”
“What about Jess, you won’t try and attack her will you?” Tony asked.
“I will never attack Jessica. Yes, her scent is strong, but I will restrain myself. Jessica belongs to you and only you. You’re mate. You’re the only one who can decide her immortality and yours.”
“Father, I want to be the one to turn Jess into a vampire. My blood will course through her veins truly connecting us, bonding my mate with me forever. Charlotte will never get that pleasure.”
“Now you see my point,” Victor said. “Keep Charlotte away from Jessica!”
Tony and Victor nodded once and came back in the house.
Charlotte watched Tony and Jessica leave and went directly to the front of the house to the door. T
urning the handle, she opened the door and went inside, straight to the spare room, unlatched the window, and slipped outside, closing the window behind her.
Tony and I walked back over to our house.
Starting to yawn, I decided I was ready for bed. I started toward the hall when Tony grabbed my hand and pulled me gently to his lap. “Jess, I saw the woman this morning. It’s Charlotte,” he said, moving my hair away from my neck.
“Charlotte! That’s the woman in the backyard? What could she…” Then I stiffened. I already knew. She wanted me.
“You have nothing to worry about,” he told me, rubbing his finger along my neck. “I won’t let her close to you, I promise,” he said, pulling me close to him.
I spoke with Father, and he feels she’s only after you. We don’t know why. I do know one thing: she will not get near you. I’m keeping you in my sight at all times,” he promised, hugging me tight.
I won’t let you, let me out of your sight, okay.” We got up and went to the bedroom. Now I was glad Tony couldn’t sleep without me. However, thinking about Charlotte sent chills up my spine. I heard her once say she wanted me immortal. Not going to happen, no way! I don’t care who it is. I’m going to stay human and leave this world when it comes my time. Charlotte can go back to England for all I care.
Wrapping my arms around Tony, I fell asleep.
Charlotte came into the house through the window. Going to Tony’s side of the bed first making sure he was asleep. Coming back around to my side, she leaned down and whispered, “Jessica.”
“What Tony?” I said, rolling away from him.
“Jessica?”
I opened my eyes to see Charlotte standing beside the bed. I looked over at Tony. He was sound asleep snoring lightly. I looked back at Charlotte.
Charlotte held out her hand and smiled. I smiled at her and put my hand in hers. Pulling the covers back, I slowly got out of bed. She held her finger up to her mouth, leaned in, and whispered, “Come with me,” in my ear. I nodded and followed her to the spare room. Charlotte let go of my hand, eased herself up on the ledge and then held my hand to help me.
Dhampir Secrets Page 24