by S. J. West
“You know that isn’t fair,” I tell him. “I have a really hard time saying no to anything you ask me to do for you.”
A roguish grin appears on Julian’s face. “Oh really?” he says, sounding intrigued by the possibilities such an admission opens up. “Perhaps I should put this theory to the test.” He clears his throat. “Take a step closer.”
I do as he ordered, only leaving a couple of inches between us.
“Kiss me like this is the last time you’ll ever see me in your life,” he says.
“Don’t say it like that,” I reply, feeling my heart tighten inside my chest at such a horrible thought. “It makes me too sad.”
“I’m sorry,” Julian tells me, obviously feeling the effect his words had on me. “Then kiss me like it’s our wedding day and all we have is a bright future in front of us.”
This time his words bring a true smile to my face.
“That’s better,” I say, raising myself on my toes slightly as I wrap my arms around his neck.
I feel Julian’s hands rest on my hips as he lowers his head slightly to close the distance between our lips.
“This isn’t exactly the way I’ll kiss you on that day,” I whisper to him, “but it’ll be close.”
“Why just close?” he whispers back, searching my eyes for an answer to his question before I say it.
“Because when you do finally marry me, we will have a bright future ahead of us and everything that’s trying to keep us apart will be gone forever. We won’t have any worries or regrets on that day, because you’ll be human again.”
Julian’s brows furrow with worry. “But what if we don’t figure out a way to end the curse? What if I’m this way forever? Will you still want to be with me?”
“I’ll always want to be with you,” I promise. “I have faith that we’ll figure things out and have the life that we want. You shouldn’t have any doubts either. Doubts make you fail at the things you really want to do in life. You need to believe that we’re destined to find the answers we need.”
“Maybe your faith will be enough for the both of us.”
“It won’t,” I say simply. “You need to have it too, or this is never going to work.”
Julian sighs. The small gesture tells me that he still has doubts, but his words say, “I’ll try to do better. I’ll try to have more faith.”
“That’s all I can ask of you.” I lean in closer to touch my lips to his and give him a small taste of what our future holds.
As I peruse my wardrobe, I decide to wear a short coral dress with a white embroidered medallion print that Helen bought for me. I leave my hair down and apply a little makeup before heading back downstairs. I can already smell bacon cooking, even before I open my bedroom door. When I reach the kitchen, I find Helen behind the stove flipping over a pancake in one skillet while another one on a second burner holds the sizzling slices of pork.
“Need some help?” I ask. It seems only right to lend a hand, since I’ll be the one consuming the majority of the food being prepared.
“Good morning, Sarah,” Helen says, glancing up from the skillet to smile at me. As I look at Helen dressed in her pale pink blouse and off-white, wide-legged pants, I can feel the love she harbors for me and how happy she is that I’ve joined her. “A little assistance is always welcome. Although I suppose the hired help isn’t supposed to need it.”
I let out a derisive snort. “You and I both know you’re not the hired help around here. In fact, you should let me lend a hand and do more of the household chores.”
“Honestly,” she says, sliding the pancake out of the pan and onto a plate that already holds five of them, “I enjoy keeping things in a neat and tidy order. It makes me feel useful and helps to pass the time. At my age, anything that can keep me active is a blessing.”
“Still, if you need my help with anything, all you have to do is tell me. You don’t even have to ask. I’ll do anything you want.”
“Thank you, dear,” Helen says, continuing to smile at me. “That means a great deal.”
I take over cooking the bacon while Helen finishes the pancakes. Julian comes into the kitchen a few minutes later dressed in a pair of jeans and a dark blue polo shirt. Helen immediately puts him to work chopping up some fruit for a salad that he won’t even get to eat. Not directly anyway.
Just as we’re setting the table to sit down and have breakfast, I hear the whir of a helicopter’s blades as it approaches the house. Nadia obviously hears it too, because she comes downstairs within a matter of seconds. Without bothering to say a greeting, she passes through the kitchen with a sense of determination and heads directly for the French doors that lead to the backyard.
“Breakfast is ready, if you would like to eat with us when you get through,” I call out to her, attempting to be a gracious hostess.
“Please don’t wait on me before you start eating, Your Highness,” she tells me. “It’s going to take us a while to bring everything inside.”
“Okay,” I say uncertainly as I watch her continue to make her way toward the backyard.
How much clothing can she possibly be bringing in? Nadia doesn’t seem like the fashionista type to me. When she told us they would be bringing her supplies, I assumed that just meant a suitcase or two of clothing and toiletries. It doesn’t take me long to discover that she meant a great deal more than that.
Right after I fill my plate with buttery delicious pancakes and crisp bacon, Nadia opens both of the French doors and instructs two rather burly men dressed in black military garb to take the large steel container they’re carrying upstairs to her room. Obviously, it seems a bit strange for her clothing to be in such a case, but I just chalk it up to being similar to people in the armed forces who keep their belongings in a locker at the foot of their beds. When the men return to the helicopter two more times and carry in similar non-descript containers, I immediately suspect what they’re hauling in isn’t clothing at all.
“What’s in the containers?” I ask Nadia, just before she’s able to make it outside again for a third trip.
She stops just short of walking through the open doorway and turns around to face me.
“Just my supplies,” she replies.
“Are those boxes filled with weapons?” I ask her point-blank.
Nadia sighs, as if my question annoys her. “Yes. They are. I need them to protect you.”
“I don’t see why you think you need an arsenal to keep me protected,” I say. “Unless there’s something that you aren’t telling. Is there? Am I in some kind of danger that I don’t know about?”
“No, I think you understand the threats surrounding you,” she replies, “but I don’t think you understand everything that’s involved in keeping you safe from them. You’re new to this world, and I can understand your ignorance about such things to account for your naiveté concerning the items I need to ensure your safety. You’re simply going to have to trust me when I say I need everything I’m bringing into this house, Your Highness. It would help me a great deal if you didn’t second-guess everything I do. You’re going to have to trust me to know how to keep you protected from creatures you don’t even know exist yet in this world.”
I don’t like being talked down to and almost let my temper say some terse words back to her, but I hold my tongue. I know she’s partially right. I don’t know everything about the world I’ve been dragged into. She, on the other hand, was chosen at a very young age to learn everything there is to know and how to defend against it. When it comes to my safety, she and Julian are the experts. I know practically nothing, at least not yet. I intend to change that fact as soon as possible.
“Get what you need,” I tell her brusquely. “I’ll have to defer to your judgment on this matter.”
Nadia bows her head to me before returning to what she was doing before I stopped her.
Once she’s gone, Julian says, “I thought you were planning to try and get along with Nadia, not pick a fight with her every c
hance you get.”
I know he’s right in calling me out on what I said I would do and what I’m actually doing.
“I’ll try harder,” is all I can promise him before I stuff half a pancake into my mouth to avoid discussing the matter any further.
“Give Sarah a little slack,” Helen defends me. “I don’t think any of us would like to have someone watching every little thing we do. I know I certainly wouldn’t.”
I decide not to remind Helen that with Nadia around that’s exactly what she’ll have. I seriously doubt Nadia trusts Julian, since he’s a vampire, and she has to know that if it ever came down to choosing sides between me or Julian, Helen would always choose Julian. My alfar guardian doesn’t seem like the type of person who would trust anyone just because I told her she could. She’ll have to decide for herself who among my friends and family would never betray me.
All in all, Nadia and the men who tote in her arsenal bring in a total of five large steel containers. I do finally see her wheel in a hefty piece of luggage that undoubtedly holds her personal belongings.
“How long until your friends arrive?” Nadia asks as she stands beside the kitchen table with her luggage.
“It shouldn’t be too much longer,” Julian tells her. “I believe we asked the three of them to be here by eight o’clock this morning.”
“Okay,” she says with a nod. “Finn and Ryan will be right outside the French doors while I’m upstairs getting ready for the day. They’ll help keep watch over the princess while I’m occupied.”
I’m about to tell her that won’t be necessary, but Julian covers one of the hands I have resting by my plate with one of his to stop me.
“That sounds fine,” he tells her. “We don’t have any plans to leave the house.”
“Good,” she says, oblivious to the fact that I was about to argue the point. “I won’t take long.”
“Let me help you get your luggage upstairs,” Julian offers, standing from his chair. Before Nadia has a chance to make a protest, Julian is already halfway down the hallway with her possessions. Gotta love vampire speed.
I return to eating my breakfast. Viktor leaps onto the table and looks at me expectantly.
“All I have to feed you is Fancy Feast,” I inform him.
Viktor immediately raises his nose into the air in a gesture of utter disdain.
“I know it might not be the most nutritious food for a cat,” Helen tells me, “but I did boil some chicken for him to eat until you’re able to go buy a different brand of cat food.”
Viktor looks at Helen and says, with a gracious nod of his head in her direction, “Meow.”
“It looks like he accepts your kind offering,” I tell her, slightly amused. I’m glad Helen knows about Viktor’s dual nature. That way I don’t have to make up excuses to help explain his almost human-like behavior and mannerisms.
Helen stands up from her chair at the table to take care of Viktor’s needs for me. When Julian returns to the kitchen, he doesn’t do it alone. Surprisingly, my one and only warlock friend, Gage Morgan, is right beside him.
“You’re early,” I say to Gage, happy to see him, even if Julian isn’t. I can tell by his stiff posture that Gage’s presence makes him uncomfortable. I know Julian doesn’t appreciate the fact that Gage witnessed what happened to him at the Destin house. I’m not sure if his discomfort stems from a need to keep his life as private as possible or simply male pride. Either way, the love of my life will simply have to get over it. Whether he wants to admit it or not, we need Gage’s help.
“I couldn’t sleep last night after everything that happened,” he confesses, taking a seat directly across from me at the table. “So I thought I might as well come over a little early. How was the rest of your evening? Did you get any sleep?”
“I slept really well actually,” I say with a small amount of guilt.
“Would you like some breakfast, Gage?” Helen asks, after setting Viktor’s bowl of chopped chicken down in front of him.
“Only if you have some to spare,” he tells her. “Don’t go to any trouble just for me.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble,” Helen says, waving a hand in his direction. “I’ll have you a stack of pancakes made in a jiffy.”
Just then, I hear the doorbell ring.
“That’s Petru and Nathaniel,” Julian tells me before leaving the kitchen to go greet our other guests. In less than a minute, the two men join us in the room.
“I hope we’re not late,” Petru says, as the pair enter the kitchen. Petru eyes Helen at the stove and asks, “I don’t suppose you have extra for young Nathaniel? I’m afraid his first breakfast has already become a distant, although fond, memory.”
“There’s always food in this house for your companion, Petru,” Helen says with a wink.
“Thanks, Helen,” Nathaniel replies, walking over to give her a peck on the cheek. “You always spoil me when I see you.”
“You look a lot better this morning,” I tell Petru. “How was your evening?”
“Uneventful,” he answers with a small shrug. “Nathaniel went to sleep as soon as we returned to the rental house we have on the coast. How about yours?”
I chance a glance in Julian’s direction, not knowing how much of what’s happened since we last saw the trio he wants everyone to know. His secrets are his to tell, and I will never divulge information he would rather we keep within the family.
“I think it’s time we got everything out into the open,” Julian says, retaking his seat beside me at one end of the table.
Petru sits on the other end, now wearing a troubled frown after hearing Julian’s cryptic words.
“What’s happened?” he asks worriedly as Nathaniel sits down beside him. “Why do you look so spooked?”
“I think Sarah should be the one who tells you what’s happened,” Julian replies, “since I was asleep during most of it.”
All eyes turn to me.
“Do I need to explain what happened in Destin to Helen?” I ask Julian.
“No,” he answers. “I filled her in last night before I went to bed.”
I nod and begin to tell the others about Julian’s odd behavior in the car the night before and his sleepwalking earlier this morning.
“Well, that’s certainly frightening,” Petru says, sitting farther back in his chair as he considers the implications of what I just said. “And you don’t have any recollection at all about doing these things?”
Julian shakes his head. “None whatsoever.”
Petru looks over at his companion. “You may need to start keeping a closer eye on me while I sleep, Nathaniel. Either that or I need to stop sleeping altogether.”
“I’ve thought about that,” Julian says, “and now that you and Nathaniel are here, it seems like my idea would benefit the both of us, at least for the time being. Sarah and I would like it if you both stayed with us until we’re able to find a way to get rid of the souls we each carry. It’s obvious whatever that witch did has awoken the spirits enough that they have the ability to take control of our bodies when we sleep. For the safety of those around us, and possibly even our own, I think staying together is the smartest thing to do right now.”
“I hate to bring this up,” Gage says, “but should the two of you warn the other vampires about what happened? The woman said she was looking for a specific soul and that neither of you are carrying it. If that’s true, what’s to stop her from concocting a similar trap for the others to fall victim to? I doubt she’s going to stop searching for the spirit she’s after.”
I look over at Julian. “You need to warn your sister.”
He nods in agreement. “I can get in touch with her and Adrian. They’re easy. Some of the others might prove to be more difficult though.”
“I think we’re going to have to get Mira to move up the date of the conclave with the others,” Petru says. “She’s the only one they’ll all listen to. Besides, our meeting was supposed to take place soon anyway.”
“I think that’s reasonable, given the circumstances,” Julian agrees. “I’ll call her this morning and arrange things.” Julian looks over at Gage, and I know what he’s going to ask even before he does. He and I have already discussed the next step we need to take, and in order to do that successfully, we will need Gage’s help.
“Do you happen to know what type of witch the woman was in Destin?” Julian asks him. “How dark was her magic?”
“As dark as I’ve ever seen it,” he tells us uneasily. “I’ve known witches who could speak with spirits, but to be able to command shades is something entirely new to me. I haven’t mentioned what I saw to anyone else though. I assumed you wanted me to keep things quiet.”
“I appreciate your discretion in the matter,” Julian replies gratefully. “Sarah has a theory that if we can appease the spirits inside us in some way, we can end their torment. It may be enough to coax them into leaving our bodies. What are your thoughts on the matter?”
“I can’t say for sure that it’ll work,” Gage says hesitantly as he looks over at me. “But I think Sarah’s theory is sound and at least worth a try.”
“I do know people who dabble in dark magic,” Julian tells him, “but we were hoping you might know someone who is trustworthy enough to keep what’s happening a secret.”
“Finding someone we can trust will be the hard part,” Gage acknowledges, looking thoughtful over the matter. “Let me think about our options before I settle on someone.”
“Talk to either Petru or me first before you contact the person you choose,” Julian says. “I would like to have a background check done first before we bring a stranger into the fold. Once we begin to explore this path to our salvation, the secret of what truly gives us our immortality will be out there for others to know about. I don’t think I have to tell you how dangerous that can be.”
“No, you don’t,” Gage agrees. “I understand. If I can’t find someone we can fully trust but who can get the job done, would you be able to compel that person to forget what they learn about your condition?”