by Ann Lory
ETERNAL 1:
ETERNAL EMBRACE
Ann Lory
www.loose-id.com
Warning
This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
Eternal 1: Eternal Embrace
Ann Lory
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Published by
Loose Id LLC
1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924
Carson City NV 89701-1215
www.loose-id.com
Copyright © October 2006 by Ann Lory
All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.
ISBN 978-1-59632-352-0
Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader
Printed in the United States of America
Editor: Olivia Wong
Cover Artist: Arien
Dedication
To the ladies of JBuL -- Jeigh Lynn, Brenda Reece, Olivia Wong, Laura Shinn, Leslie Musser, Ally Blue, Willa Okati and Kimberly Gardner. You all have been great inspirations, teachers and wonderful friends. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you, and I thank you.
Prologue
On the coast of San Francisco, a man stands and watches the ocean as it rushes in to hit the shore.
Outside Paris, a man plays the piano, fingers pouring over the keys with vigorous deliberation.
A third man, alone at home in Italy, loathes himself for what he has become and what he will continue to do because it is demanded of him.
In South Carolina, yet another man stares out across vast fields where the best tobacco the colonies had enjoyed once grew, remembering when the red coats marched through his land, destroying his world and the reason he had signed up to fight.
And still more exist in Colorado ... Spain ... London ... men and women scattered throughout the ages and around the world.
There are those that help humanity, the creators and teachers, and those others who destroy, who believe that people are only cattle to be savored and slaughtered at will. And, yet, all have a common goal -- to survive the world that continues to claim the mortals around them, leaving them to remain and face each night alone.
They are everywhere.
Vampires.
Chapter One
Cassie shuddered as she pulled onto the long, winding drive and stopped the car. She flipped on the overhead light and looked at the directions again, then back up at the shadowed mansion ahead of her. This was it!
She took a deep breath and looked out over the vast estate, which was just as lovely as the pictures she had seen in her boss’s office. Mr. Harper had raved about Dimitri Alexios for the last several months since finding out Alexios would be willing to allow the museum to show some of his collection in upcoming Greek exhibits.
The pictures had not done Alexios’s home justice. She studied the three-story brick building. Its arched Victorian windows surrounded by tan stone walls made the structure look more like a castle than a mansion. A large garage was attached to the building and Cassie could only imagine the types of vehicles that someone with a ton of money would have stored away in there.
She put the car back in gear and continued on her way. Her vehicle’s headlights illuminated the trees that lined the drive and canopied it all the way up to the mansion. Finally, she pulled in under a large archway and parked her little Nissan Sentra. Turning off the ignition, Cassie folded the piece of paper with the directions and tucked it away in her purse. Grabbing her briefcase, she climbed out of the car, glancing up at the iron lamp that hung from the stone ceiling. It was massive, illuminating the entire area and swinging ever so slightly from a light breeze.
She looked toward the huge mahogany main door and the stone staircase that led to it. Her one-bedroom apartment couldn’t compare with this. Although Cassie was used to dealing with big-wig art collectors when they donated for exhibits at the museum, she still always felt less, inadequate, like she didn’t belong in their world and never would. She was just a small-town girl from the Midwest trying to make it in California, and it was a constant struggle to adjust. She hated feeling so out of place all the time.
Straightening her shoulders, Cassie refused to be intimidated by the place and possibly its owner. She gave herself the same lecture she did each time she had to take care of anything for her boss’s snooty clientele and marched up the stairs. Before her upraised hand could knock on the door, however, the gleaming wood swung open. A smiling older gentleman with shaggy silver hair greeted her. He was slender, a little taller than her, and had a long, slightly flared nose and rosy cheeks. He looked at her with twinkling blue eyes over the tops of wire-rimmed glasses.
“Miss Stephens?”
She smiled brightly. “Yes, I’m Cassie Stephens. Are you Dimitri Alexios?”
He chuckled. “No, my dear, he will be meeting with you shortly. Please come in.”
He stood back and held the door open for her as she stepped through. Cassie gazed in awe at the huge marble staircase in front of her that wound up to the second floor. Lush and brilliant green ferns in golden pots lined the stairs and a colossal chandelier hung overhead. The latter was absolutely gorgeous: with the lights glowing within the crystal, it looked like glistening ice.
“I am Jacob Rowlin, Mr. Alexios’s butler, valet, assistant.”
Cassie couldn’t help but smile at him, relaxing at his informal attitude. He shut the door behind her.
“Please follow me, Ms. Stephens.”
Their footsteps echoed off the marble floor as he led her down a hallway away from the main foyer. She looked at everything around her, including the grand window at the end of the long corridor. The brief view she’d had from the drive had not been enough to reveal its full magnificence: up close, she could appreciate how truly breathtaking it was, especially its intricately swirling designs that also surrounded the window’s borders.
Charming tables that looked like antiques in perfect condition were set against either side of the hall with crystal or gold vases on top of the dark wood. She wondered if the vases were real, then quickly retracted the question from her mind. Of course they’re real.
They came to the end of the passage and Rowlin opened two heavy oak doors. Standing aside, he motioned for her to enter. “After you, Ms. Stephens.”
“Thank you.” A fire was burning in the hearth. An old, deep burgundy rug covered the expanse of floor, and books filled shelves from floor to ceiling across three of the room’s walls, while four large windows lined the last wall, framing a gorgeous view of the ocean. In front of the windows was a chair, its high back facing her, and a few plush and smaller ones that had end tables on each side.
“May I get you anything?”
She turned away from her inspection. “No, thank you.”
“Mr. Alexios will be with you shortly,” he said, then left the room.
She went back to examining her surroundings, studying the paintings on the walls, wondering how old they were and how Alexios had come by them. They were
beautifully done European landscapes, Italian, perhaps, and obviously quite old.
Suddenly, Cassie felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck. She had the oddest feeling she was being watched. Turning slowly, she looked toward the door. Dimitrius Alexios! She knew it had to be him. The man held himself with an air of confidence and assurance, but he was younger than she would have thought someone who had such vast wealth would be. For a moment he stood there like a dark shadow, staring at her.
It took her a few seconds to find her voice, then she moved forward. “Mr. Alexios?”
He came into the room, seeming to float, so graceful were his movements. “Yes, I am Dimitri Alexios, and you are Cassandra Stephens?”
He was handsome as sin and the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine so that she almost blushed. In the past, she had always corrected people, asking that they call her Cassie, but his voice was like a caress from his lips. He could call her Cass, Cassie, or “Hey, you,” and she would answer.
“Yes, from the San Francisco Museum.” She extended her hand and was surprised when he took it in his and held it to his lips in an old-fashioned and chivalrous gesture. Although his hand was cold to the touch and his lips felt cool against her flesh, hot electricity surged up her arm. Alexios’s eyes held hers, his gaze seeming to burn with a heated intensity.
She thought she might go up in flames. Her body as if it were on fire as she stared back and forth between his lips on her skin and the look in his eyes, which were black and held wisdom -- and what looked like a promise of passion. She had the abrupt urge to explore the pledge they appeared to offer.
She cleared her throat and he turned away, breaking the spell. She felt hot, flushed and her body ached. She brushed her hair behind her ears, glancing anywhere she could but at him. What was wrong with her? She’d never reacted this way to anyone before and suddenly she felt the need to jump his bones? Embarrassing!
Alexios motioned a hand toward one of the smaller chairs. “Please, won’t you be seated?”
She almost ran to the chair closest to her while he walked to a liquor cabinet that she had not noticed in a corner of the room, and pulled out a wine bottle and two glasses.
“May I offer you a glass of wine while we discuss business?”
“No, thank you.” She took a moment to study him as he replaced the second glass and uncorked the bottle. His hair was black as a raven’s wing, hanging straight and loose to his shoulders. He had a long, straight nose and high cheekbones, plus sensuous lips that looked like they had been sculpted for kissing. His skin was pale.
He was at least a foot taller than her five-two frame; she’d had to tilt her head back to look at his handsome face. His shoulders were broad, topping a wide chest where a thin smattering of dark hair showed at the open neckline of his white shirt. Lean, narrow hips and long legs completed the package. She could tell there was solid muscle beneath his snug black pants.
He returned with a glass of dark red wine and sat in the large chair opposite her. “I am sorry that you had to come out here at such a late hour, but my schedule during the day is full and I had no other available time to meet with you.”
He had a slight, pleasant accent, but she couldn’t quite place it. “That’s quite all right, Mr. Alexios. It’s no problem at all.”
Cradling the wine glass with one hand, he pulled a portfolio that had been hidden against his chair and laid it on the coffee table before her. She opened it and gasped at one of the photographs, which displayed a painting.
“This is truly lovely.” She ran her fingers over the other pictures as she flipped through the pages, appreciating everything she came across. Finally she looked at him again and was taken aback by how his eyes seemed to glow and burn into her. Their expression took her breath away.
He jerked in his chair, apparently realizing he was staring. Cassie cleared her throat, trying to get her bearings and ease the pounding of her heart. Surely it had been a trick of the light, because his eyes were dark again.
“May I see the actual pieces?”
He rose smoothly from his chair. “Of course. Right this way.”
After an existence of over five hundred years, Dimitri was one of the more powerful of his kind and had immediately felt her presence the moment she’d entered his home. While Cassandra had examined his study, he had observed her in turn. Her scent had carried to him, the sweetest flowers, soft and pleasant, as she obviously was.
The woman was small and petite, her skin smooth. Delicate eyebrows arched over stunning violet eyes, and a small nose that was slightly rounded at the tip rose above a full and pink mouth. Chestnut hair fell in silky waves to the middle of her back, emphasizing her tiny waist and perfectly rounded hips.
He closed his eyes, blocking out her beauty. She was so full of life; he heard it humming through her body, the rhythm of her heart playing in his head like a drum. When he had agreed to Mr. Harper’s request, Dimitri had had no idea that the man would send someone so young and so absolutely exquisite.
Now, for the first time in centuries, he wanted to reach out and touch someone for a reason other than to slake his blood lust. He felt like a schoolboy desperate for permission to hold a girl’s hand. Ridiculous! He shoved his hands firmly in his pockets and led her from the den down the hallway.
“Everything that I am considering loaning to the museum is kept on the second floor in the north wing. There are several adjoining rooms that contain a large selection of my collection. You may have access to whatever you need, although I do have some items that will not go for exhibition under any circumstances.” They reached the second floor.
“I understand. I’ll check with you before I do anything, of course.”
Dimitri stood before the door leading to his treasured possessions and turned to face her. He couldn’t fathom why he wanted to see her expression when he showed her the rooms. He shouldn’t care what Cassandra thought of him or his belongings, but somehow he wanted to please her very much.
He pushed the door open slowly and watched as her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her throat. He heard her heartbeat accelerate. Standing beside her, Dimitri pointed to the open doors on the opposite side of the enormous room that had high arched ceilings. “Through there are other pieces for several more rooms.”
Cassandra stepped in and didn’t say anything for a long moment, staring in obvious fascination. Art older than he was filled the area. Her gaze roamed over every statue, every painting and every vase in sight. Dimitri was more than satisfied with her reaction.
She shook her head slowly. “This is unbelievable. It is amazing that you have all of this.” He didn’t say anything, only crossed his arms, placed his chin in the palm of his hand and smiled with pleasure.
She moved further into the room and did a slow turn. “May I bring an assistant to help me?”
His arms abruptly dropped to his sides and he frowned. “No. I do not freely open my home. Only when you are ready for items to be boxed and moved will I allow assistants.” She was silent for a moment. He could tell she was contemplating whether she really wanted to do this. But of course he knew she had no choice except to accept his condition, if only because her boss would brook no refusal.
“Is this arrangement acceptable or do you prefer to look elsewhere for your pieces?”
She shook her head again. “No, it will be no problem, Mr. Alexios. I will be glad to handle everything.”
Cassandra smiled at him and he had to look away. Her presence was like a blow to his gut; she was so young, so beautiful. He wanted to pull her in his arms and kiss her, hold her, make love to her, then drink of the sweetness that thrummed through her veins. However, he didn’t have to wonder what her response would be if she knew what he truly was; he was certain her breathtaking smile would vanish and she’d flee in terror.
She spoke quietly. “I’ll have to go into the museum each morning, but I can be here by the afternoon, say from noon to six, if that’s all right?”
He glanced at her as the urge to taste her surged through his body, and knew by her reaction that his face was contorted with pain.
“Mr. Alexios, are you all right?”
She reached out to touch his arm, but he jerked away from her. He could feel the hunger rising in him, swift and hard. Her vibrant heat made him ache with a soul-wrenching agony. He fought back the terrible desire. He’d had centuries of practice and could keep his need at bay, but he was no saint.
With an effort, he smiled slightly. “Yes, I am quite fine, thank you.” Dismissing her concerns, he waved his hand. “Please, come however your schedule allows; time is of no importance to me.”
She was looking at him, her eyes worried. He wondered if he had frightened her or if she was actually concerned for his welfare. He rejected the latter; she couldn’t be.
“Well, then, Mr. Alexios, I guess I’ll be going.” She walked toward the door that led to the corridor and he closed it behind them. “Will I see you tomorrow afternoon?”
“No, I’m always gone during the day until the evening.” He touched her elbow lightly, leading her down the main staircase back to the front entrance. “Rowlin will be here to assist you with anything you may need.”
He picked up the briefcase she’d left by the door and handed it to her, seeing the blush staining her cheeks. He wondered what she was thinking as she took the case from his hand.
They exited his home, and he walked her to her car, holding the door open for her. She quickly placed her satchel on the passenger side seat before facing him again. “It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Alexios. I hope you will be pleased with our work when we display some of your collection at the museum.”
“I’m sure I will be. Thank you for coming this evening. I look forward to seeing the end result. And, Cassandra?”