“Do not toy with me, Angeline.” His voice huskier than usual, colored with emotion.
“I am not, Dorian. I need you. Let Jaiden alone and I will promise to watch my back.” Angeline met the vampire’s eyes, staring into them, allowing him to read the truth in her answer. “We have more important things to handle right now. I have blood from the hybrids who attacked you. Storm Sullivan was also attacked by similar creatures and Dan managed to get two vials.”
“You are sly, fairy girl.” Dorian’s mouth curved into a smile. “I will not forget the sprite but I will grant him a reprieve at your behest. You will owe me a favor though, deal?”
“Do I have a choice?” Angeline backed up and sipped at her wine.
“No. Not if you want him to live.” The vampire smiled, “I believe you have some blood for me.”
A few months later
“I think the lemon yellow is too much. What about a nice soft green?” Angeline stepped back and swept a stray hair from her face with the back of her hand.
“My great niece is not going to have a green room. Green is the color of baby poo.” Trin Sullivan’s ghostly shape hovered beside the wide open nursery door eyeing up the freshly painted walls. “I agree though, the left wall is all wrong. I like the one on around the windows, what color is that again?”
Angeline crouched down and peered at the name on the sample can. “Golden Honey. That’s the one I used around the window. It would look pretty with bright white trim and white furniture. I will make the Scots help me paint tomorrow. Damarra is supposed to visit Friday to check on things and –“
“Why is Damarra checking in on this, luv?” Trin touched her arm and solidified before Angeline. “This is not her business.”
Not again. “I cannot keep having this discussion. I understand your concerns but Storm wants Damarra in her life and that means she will be a part of the babe’s life. She is as excited as you are.” Angeline avoided Trin’s disapproving gaze opting to dump the rejected colors in the large garbage bin in the middle of the room. When she turned around again Trin was gone, either reclaimed by the mirror or too angry to linger. Angeline shrugged and reached for her buzzing cell phone.
“Hello, Dorian. Any progress?” Angeline frowned, “Sorry, Watson. I saw Dorian’s name and assumed – it does not matter.”
“Miss Angeline, it is not faring well. Master Dorian remains unable to identify two of the strands. He barely made it to ground this morning before sunrise. I worry for his health, Miss. Perhaps you could visit him?” Watson paused expectantly.
Angeline’s frowned deepened. She recalled their last encounter. “Watson, I am not sure Dorian cares to see me. I know Gregoire would not appreciate my company. I think it best –“
“Master Gregoire has left. He made it quite clear to Master Dorian that he would not be staying around any longer. Master Gregoire does not approve of Master Dorian’s involvement as you well know. Please come soon. He has not left the loft since Master Gregoire’s departure more than two weeks ago. Please, Miss Angeline.” The desperation in Watson’s voice tugged at a part of Angeline she preferred locked away.
“I will visit this evening, Watson. Beyond that I cannot promise anything. Ryder and Storm will be returning soon and I will need to be around as I am needed.”
“I understand, Miss Angeline. Thank you. I will have a wonderful meal prepared for you.” The line disconnected before Angeline could protest. Not that it would have mattered, she supposed. Clicking her phone shut and checking the nursery over once more, Angeline slipped out and back down to her car. Just enough time to spar with Lucian and shower before sunset.
Losing it
“Is he awake, Watson?” Angeline stepped into the foyer and set her bag on the antique side table. She tossed her keys and phone on top and gave the small man a quick hug.
“Yes, Miss Angeline. He is in the lab. I will bring the food and drinks to you there.” Watson lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper. “I think you will find him much changed. Please be kind.”
“Always, Watson.” Angeline assured Dorian’s most loyal familiar. Contented, he nodded and gestured toward the back of the loft. She made her way down the back stairs to Dorian’s lab.
“Dammit!” Dorian’s voice carried down the hall with a pungent odor of burnt plastic. Angeline could hear the strain in his voice and for a moment considered walking back out the way she came. “Angeline? Is that you?” Too late. Damn vampires and their heightened senses.
“Yes, I desperately needed a break and thought maybe we could watch an old movie. You still owe me a showing of Casablanca.” Angeline entered the room, mentally preparing for whatever she may find. Dorian stood at the far side of the lab hunched over a microscope. A few burners were lit under bubbling beakers and a pair of white boards covered with scribblings blocked the genus maps along the back wall. Watson could not have prepared her for the change in Dorian. Sporting a filthy lab coat over stained lounge pants and a faded white t-shirt he barely resembled the vampire she remembered. His hair hung limp and greasy and dark purple circles beneath his eyes emphasized the pallor of his skin. If a vampire could look tired Dorian would be the poster child for exhaustion. Angeline had to force a smile to disguise her shock.
“Don’t look at me like that, fairy girl. Do not lie to me either. You are lousy at it.” Dorian turned back to his microscope. “I am not in the mood for company. Please see yourself out.”
“Like hell, Dorian.” Okay, so sweet and flirtatious would not work. Angeline crossed the room with purpose and grabbed his arm, in hindsight not the best idea but it got his attention. Dorian wheeled to face her, his face etched with fury. Angeline gritted her teeth and held his gaze. “We are not going to fight now. You are going to stop this madness and join me for a meal. I need my friend and you clearly need me so get over yourself already.”
“How dare you talk to me like that?” Dorian’s voice rose, his pinhole pupils disappeared completely and his fangs elongated. She’d seen that before but in a much different context.
“How dare I? How dare you? When is the last time you have fed? Look at you! How can you help anybody like this? I thought you were tougher than this, Dorian. Snap out of it!” Angeline grasped Dorian at the shoulders, ignoring how thin they felt. “I am not going to pity you; we cannot afford pity right now. You know what is coming and you are useless like this.” She stood there, glaring at him with all the resolve she could muster and waited. Time seemed to stop but for Dorian’s face changing expression – fury, fear, confusion – and finally his pupils returned, fangs retracted, and he focused on her.
“Angeline?”
“Yes. Now, are you quite through your hysterics?” Sliding a hand to the side of his face, Angeline forced him to keep eye contact. “Watson called me. He said Gregoire left.”
Dorian cringed as if slapped. “Yes. He did.”
“Okay, so he left. You have lived how many centuries? Fought how many times with each other?” Angeline knew there was more to Dorian and Gregoire but she would deal with their issues later. “Dorian, let’s go upstairs. Let me help you clean up, we can watch a movie and you can tell me whatever you want or we can sit in silence. But this has to stop.”
“Will you stay tonight, Angeline?” Dorian seemed himself again, or closer to himself than he’d been in a while. Wrapping her up in his arms, Dorian held her close for a long moment.
“Will you stop this crazy mission of yours?” Angeline stepped back and arched an eyebrow quizzically.
“It is not crazy. It could be crucial. It could –“ Silencing him with her fingers on his lips, Angeline gave a warning look. The vampire nodded in agreement. “Perhaps a break would give me some clarity.
“Or, perhaps I could fill in one of the blanks for you over dinner?” Angeline knew part of the hybrid mystery but did not realize Dorian’s level of obsession and admittedly had been rather caught up with other things. She took Dorian’s hand and gently guiding him upstairs to
his elaborate bathroom. He silently allowed her to start the shower and lay out clean clothes. “I will be waiting downstairs to tell you what I know but only if you are clean, groomed, and dressed like the Dorian I know. Deal?”
“Agreed, fairy girl. Well played.”
“Learned from the best, vampire.”
Angeline made sure Dorian entered the shower before slipping out of his room to the kitchen where Watson seemed to be putting the finishing touches on an extravagant cart of food. “Change of plans, Watson. Dorian is showering and will be joining me for dinner up here.”
“Well done, Miss Angeline. Thank you.” Watson disappeared in the pantry for a few moments and emerged with two goblets of blood.
“Actually, Watson, take a break. I will handle things from here.” Angeline smiled genuinely and pushed the cart toward the great room before Watson could object. She set everything out on the enormous coffee table and arranged pillows on the floor at one end so they would face the TV.
“Thank you, Angeline. You continue to surprise me.” Dorian nodded appreciatively to the arrangement and picked up a goblet of blood.
“Watson put everything together; I just brought it out here.” Stretching out on the pillows, Angeline exhaled and reached for an apple. “You look better already.” Indeed, just a shower and change of clothes left Dorian looking refreshed and half himself again. The red silk shirt hung a bit on his frame but the clean hair and general scent were massive improvements.
Dorian settled on the mound of pillows beside her without spilling a drop from his glass. “Have you given further consideration to my request?”
“You know I cannot, Dorian.” Angeline focused on her apple instead of the vampire. “Besides, I came here to fill you in on what has happened.”
He set the now empty goblet back on the table and picked up the other. “Then fill me in, by all means.”
Angeline ignored the sudden chill in Dorian’s voice. “The were-hybrids were created by Storm’s father. The long and the short of it is that he used some of his own blood to create them. I happen to have a bit of his blood in my bag for you to experiment with. Now, can we stop talking business and start watching some Casablanca?”
Dorian let out a throaty chuckle. “Fair enough. Tonight you get your way – but only because you pulled me back from the brink.”
“Well, you promised me Casablanca and I was not about to let you out of that promise.” Angeline leaned into Dorian, “I do care for you, vampire, but don’t let it go to your head.”
A few weeks later
“I have to go.” Angeline pulled back and slipped off the couch. “I have to go; you know I just came to check in.”
“Stay just a bit longer.”
“Dorian, it is not going to work. Seriously, I have to go. After the Seraph interrogation and the Immortals who approached me I am not about to worry Lucian any further. I said I was running a few errands and would be over by 11:30.” Angeline backed away slowly. She probably should have been offended by the interrogation but with nothing to hide and Storm’s trust to gain there was no choice but to cooperate.
“You shouldn’t have lied, fairy girl.” Dorian taunted her with a faux scold.
“Oh, that’s rich coming from the vampire who won’t let anybody know he’s still in town.” Angeline picked up her keys and purse as she continued the stealthy backpedal to the front door. “You should be sleeping anyway, it is nearly noon.”
“Touche.”
“Later, Dorian.” Angeline slipped out the door, careful not to open it too wide.
Angeline’s phone buzzed in her hand. Though she expected to hear from Lucian the content of the text came as a bit of a shock. “Get over here, need you with us, taking Storm shopping.” Chuckling to herself she responded with an off the cuff, “already on my way.” Thankfully, Storm let her keep the jag. She really loved the car, paid for repairs to the window and seat, and actually upgraded a few things including the sound system. Blaring the latest pop-infused station to hit town, Angeline sped off toward Willow Wood. Shopping, not a bad way to spend an afternoon, what could go wrong?
Shopping
So perhaps she spoke too soon about the banality of a shopping excursion. It seemed nothing with Storm involved would ever be boring again. She couldn’t wait to tell Dorian about the banshee, though. Of course, he would never let her live down the massive delay in recognizing the thing sooner. Angeline frowned again. Things were getting worse. She really needed to speak with Trin. Living at Willow Wood would make that easier but seeing Dorian would be more complicated. Perhaps the Scots would help her sneak out. It was no secret they spent more time together over the last several weeks. As it turned out the Scots were uniquely gifted in martial arts and weaponry. Who knew? Though their interests in her remained less than noble they proved superior instructors. More than anything, the Scots made Angeline laugh and that made them indispensable.
Angeline broke up the Scots’ fight and sent them to Durstine for her clothes and personal items. She called a travel agent and booked everything for Rosalee and her children before telling the housekeeper she’d be leaving for a while. The news was surprisingly well received and for a moment Angeline swore Rose thanked her. Dorian did not react so well to the news of her new confinement but she promised to figure something out. It would be prudent for them to take some time apart, Dorian’s attachment seem to be growing in spite of Angeline’s continued reminders of her situation. All loose ends tied up, Angeline listened for the Immortals and Storm. Content they were occupied she slipped into the nursery and called for Trin.
“Hello, luv.” Trin materialized in her ghostly form. “How are things progressing?”
“Not as well as I would like, to be honest. There are other players in the game, Trin. I do not know who but somebody with power.” Angeline dreaded relaying the rest of the day’s events. “A banshee with a powerful cloak tried to take Storm today.”
Trin’s transparent face fell, “Just one? Did you see any others around?”
“No. I felt nothing, but then again, I did not notice the banshee until we’d been there for some time. A witch has to be involved. Could it be the two we seek?” Angeline kept her tone low, just in case. It would not do for anybody to hear yet.
“Yes. I would guess that is the most likely explanation. We must move up our timeline.” Trin’s ghost floated to and fro as though she were pacing the floor. “Something is chasing Sophia on the other side. You cannot call me too often, Angeline, I must remain to help her. Sophia can draw from my spirit and cloak herself for longer periods. Is Lucian remembering?”
“I believe so. He has shut me out and ended our sparring sessions. I can urge things on if you like.” Angeline shifted uncomfortably. She could push Lucian but it could prove dangerous for them all.
As if reading her mind, Trin shook her head, “No, that would be unwise. You know how volatile the Phoenix is. We have to be careful in this. Does anybody suspect your aid? Ryder?”
“No, I do not believe so. Ryder has all but forgotten how close I was to you. The spell worked well. Of course, Dorian had no difficulty coercing the witchlings to complete it. The vampire remains unhappy, Trin.” Angeline watched her mentor’s expression change a few times.
“I know, luv. We cannot help Dorian right now. He needs time to heal. Dorian and Gregoire were together for centuries. I would think you of all people would understand the loss of a sibling.” Trin’s form began to fade. “I have to return to the mirror, luv. Think about it.”
Angeline stood there for a long while after Trin left. She had thought about it. Dorian pointed it out to her already. More than once, actually. Part of their camaraderie developed in their mutual sense of loss. Of course, there was always a chance Dorian and Gregoire could reconcile. She wondered how Olivia looked now, how tall she ended up, how – Angeline’s thoughts were interrupted by the Scots arguing in the hallway.
“Well, let’s just see what the fairy thinks.” Kell’s vo
ice carried in the nursery through the closed door. Angeline stifled a groan and crouched beside the unassembled pieces of the changing table. They did finish the other pieces but the changing table seemed to push them over the brink into full blown war. Fortunately she stopped them before anything got broken. The door swung open revealing a red-faced Kell and smirking Pollux.
“Will you please stop fighting?” Angeline stood, instructions in hand and with her most authoritative tone. “I figured out the problem and I suggest we fix it now.”
“Aw, Ang. We are tired of putting these things together. They are not as sturdy as what we could build on our own with the proper wood –“
“Pollux, you sound like a spoiled child.” Angeline cut him off, tired of their constant complaints about the nursery work. She did all the painting, Lucian did all the trim and shelving, it was the least they could do. “Damarra will be here to see the nursery and I do not want to explain to her why it is not in order, do you?”
“No, probably not. Do you think we can get it together before dinner?” Kell’s face seemed to return to his natural color.
“Perhaps. I suppose it depends on how much you two decide to argue!” Angeline smiled demurely and the boys set to work. Things lightened up after that and under her instruction they assembled the last piece as the scent of dinner wafted up the stairs. “Nicely done, boys.”
Later that night
“Dorian, it was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I have never seen anything like it.” Angeline sprawled on his bed as the vampire packed. “So, Sophia is alive but bound to the Phoenix. Lucian is not happy about that but I am sure you care little or less about his feelings. Storm is carrying twins. They are locking her down, the Scots and Damarra have already taken off after Roane, and I am here gathering you to accompany me. Does Watson know?”
“Yes, he is aware. He knows to hide the information on your sister and lock down all of our facilities if he does not hear from us for more than twenty-four hours.” Dorian zipped the bags closed. “Are you sure you want to do this Angeline? What does Trin say? I thought the next step was to find a way to free her?”
The Storm Sullivan Saga: The Emerald Seer Series Box Set Page 39