“I think we need to focus on you Mia, and who’s after you, not how I am what I am.”
“So, answer this…how is being here at your place going to keep me safe?”
“Because I know this place and I know this area and I will know if anyone like me gets close.”
“Makes sense. What if someone does get close, then what?”
“I kill them.”
“Just like that, you kill them. What if you can’t?”
“I can. Now, you need to tell me about yourself.”
“You already know pretty much all there is. My grandpa raised me after my parents were killed in a motorcycle accident when I was three. I spent all my time in that bookstore playing, living upstairs, and going to school. I got a degree in library sciences after high school and three years ago my grandpa died, leaving everything he owned to me. There isn’t anything else.”
“Hmm okay, sounds straight-forward enough. Maybe it’s your extra-curricular activity that’s gotten you in trouble. What jobs have you taken from the paper lately that might have sparked something.”
“Archer, the jobs I get from the paper aren’t really dangerous.”
“Then how did you end up in the warehouse district last night being cornered by a vampire.”
“Well…”
“That wasn’t part of a job was it?”
“Now who’s psychic.”
“Seriously Mia, I need to know what’s going on so I can keep you safe.”
Mia moved closer and placed her palm on his cheek.
“Archer, why is it so important to keep me safe? What makes me special.”
“Honestly? I don’t know. I feel this…”
With a disgusted grunt he moved from the sofa and looked out the window, over the very place where he’d found her the night before.
She moved up behind him, determined to keep him from running.
She turned his face toward her, moving into his personal space, their lips just a breath apart. Her thumb grazed over his skin and he kissed her. It had been a simple decision, she could tell. Passionate, but strong and confident. Then he moved away.
“I shouldn’t have done that.”
She didn’t hesitate to move in and kiss him again. She wasn’t afraid to admit that she wanted him badly, and not just because he had saved her or could keep her safe, or that he was a vampire, because what was that really? She didn’t even know what that would mean honestly. She just wanted to be with him. Whatever that meant. There was an invisible pull, she didn’t understand it.
“What is this Mia?”
“Archer, I’m not sure but can we just not analyze it now? I just want you near me, on me…”
For now, that’s all Mia wanted. She didn’t want to worry about who was after her and wanted her dead, she didn’t want to stress over the bills at her bookstore. She just wanted to be with the man that made her feel safe and wanted, just for a little while if that’s all the time they had.
He kissed her again, and continued his ministrations, only a little more forceful with each touch, not moving away this time. She could feel how much he wanted her, like their souls were one. The pull was so strong. It was almost as if she could hear his thoughts, the things he wanted to do with her, and more precisely to her.
She wasn’t about to stop him.
CHAPTER FIVE
The room was dark when Mia woke, having no idea what time it was. She didn’t have a cell phone anymore and there seemed to be no alarm clocks in the room. She did, however, remember where she was and it made her smile.
Archer’s bed was probably comparable to a fluffy cloud in heaven. Did Vampires go to heaven? Dumb question, they killed people so probably not.
Mia moved her hand along the silk sheets encompassing the other side of the bed but felt nothing. Where had he gone? She couldn’t hear a single noise, as if the room were soundproof.
When she moved her legs over to the side of the bed, she instantly remembered what had happened in Archer’s bed and the mere thoughts brought her an immeasurable heat over her entire body. The things that man could do, but where was he?
She crept away from the bed, using her hands to feel her way to the door. Usually eyes acclimated to the darkness and then at least be able to see shapes, but it was seriously pitch black. Like a coffin.
Once she found the handle, she gently pulled until there was a small stream of light peaking in to let her see. Next to the door, his shirt was piled up on the dresser, so she put it on her naked body and proceeded down the hallway on her tiptoes.
The apartment was quiet, and dark. Not as dark as his bedroom but there was no light coming in the windows. He was also nowhere around, that she could see. There were pastries on the dining table though and they looked delicious. She’d worked up quite an appetite the night before. There were two plates, and one had crumbs, so he must have already had his breakfast. She was under the impression Vampires didn’t eat actual food but she’d watched him eat a steak last night. Granted it was pretty bloody, maybe that helped. Maybe she was watching too many movies.
She sat and helped herself to breakfast.
A hand on her shoulder scared the daylights out of her.
“Oh my God Archer, don’t sneak up on me like that. Where did you come from?”
“I’m so sorry.”
He bent and kissed the bend in her neck where the curve met her shoulder and gave her goosebumps over her entire body.
“You were sound asleep, so I went for a run.”
“In the daylight?”
“Yeah. That’s a myth by the way. I mean, most Vampires I run across are more active during the night hours because most people are asleep, but the sunlight doesn’t burn us.”
“So, does that mean they will come for me during the day then?”
“They won’t come for you on my watch. But we do need to talk. Let me go take a shower, I smell horrid.”
Mia had gotten a rather good whiff and didn’t think he could ever smell as bad as horrid.
When he came back to the kitchen minutes later, she’d finished and washed the few dishes.
“Thanks for cleaning up the kitchen, you didn’t have to.”
“I know, it’s a habit, clean freak I guess.”
“Can we talk?” Archer held out a hand for her to join him in the living room.
“Sure, sounds important.”
“I saw a few lurkers around the area today.”
“Seriously? Around here?” She moved her finger around the area to include his living area.
He didn’t answer but got up and walked to the wall of windows and cracked open the blinds an inch or two. She snuggled deeper into the couch and covered her legs with the throw blanket.
“Okay, I want to hear what you saw.”
“It was just a couple of guys hanging around when they had no reason to be. Odd place too. They were over around those old shipping containers where I found you.”
“Did they say anything to you?”
“I didn’t stop to chit chat, I was out for a run, I didn’t even make eye contact. They knew what I was though so I’m guessing they think much about me.”
“Archer, they won’t smell me on you will they, and follow you home?”
“I took precautions before I set out so no, I doubt that. I’ve seen them around before though, once or twice. I think they are part of an old order downtown. I’ll do some poking around and see what I can find out.”
“Please don’t get yourself in trouble.”
“I’m not worried about myself love, but I need you to be careful. Are you opening the store today?”
He’d returned to the couch and she snuggled down further along his side and put her arm around his bare stomach.
“I don’t think I’m really feeling social today. Is it okay if I stay here?”
“It’s the safest place for you, and while I’m gone, I’ll have a couple guards close by.”
He left her side for only a moment and cam
e back with a white box.
“I got you a phone too.”
“You really didn’t need to do that.”
“I want you to be able to get ahold of me, I already added my number. Please do me a favor though?”
“Anything.”
She was sincere but making googly eyes at him.
“Do not leave this apartment. Don’t get curious and start exploring, I mean it.”
“Are you kidding, no way. Those monsters might get a whiff of me and I wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Also, don’t tell anyone about me or where you are. I mean just in case you have friends or family you need to touch base with.”
“Just one friend really and he’s a jerk anyway. I called him to come pick me up last night, but my phone died before we were done talking. He never showed as far as I know.”
“Who is the friend and what is his name.”
“His name is Micah but why does it matter?”
***
Mia called after him, but he paid no attention. He’d bolted from the couch and moved to his office. He had a few phone calls to make now that he’d heard one of Mia’s friends may have had some insight on the night she was attacked. She wouldn’t like to hear that, but he wasn’t going to take any chances with her safety. Someone wanted her, and he could only assume dead instead of alive. If only he knew why.
The old order was very clever and if they were looking for someone specific, they would use any tactic necessary. They could have paid off her friend to sell her out or he could even be undead himself. The possibilities were endless.
Just like the old order, Archer had been around an awfully long time. He’d definitely made some enemies over the years, but he’d also made a few allies and some very good friends. He even had human friends, some that knew about him and others that didn’t. The old order tried more than once to forge an alliance which he turned down but as far as he was concerned, at least they weren’t enemies. Things could change though, depending on what they wanted with Mia. He wasn’t giving her up without one hell of a fight.
When he walked back in the room, Mia was playing on her new phone.
“This is a really nice phone, much better than the other one I had. Also, I tried to call Micah but there was no answer. Please tell me that’s not a bad thing.”
“I wish I could, but I just don’t know. I’ve made a few calls; I just have to wait and see what turns up. For now, I’m going to head out. Can you not call anyone else while I’m gone? Why don’t you go take advantage of the jacuzzi tub in my bathroom? It’s really relaxing.”
“You take baths?”
“I may be a vampire, but we need to relax sometimes too.”
He twined his fingers into both sides of her hair and pulled her in for a long slow kiss. He left her lips and headed out the door.
“Yeah when you get back, we need to talk more about you being a vampire.”
He could still hear her talking as he closed the door behind him. She actually made him laugh.
He checked in with his two guards to make sure they knew she was not to leave this building under any circumstances, then headed to the garage for his car. He even wondered if he should take a man with him just in case, but it was more important to have her protected, especially if anything were to go wrong with his meeting.
He was close to the older order downtown when his phone rang. He looked at the number displayed on his gps screen and shook his head.
“I haven’t been gone that long; did you miss me already?”
“I’m just so excited about this phone. It does so many things. I just wanted to try it out. You sound like you’re in a box, where are you?”
“I’m in my car driving.”
“Oh sorry. I’ll leave you alone, just wanted to try the phone out.”
“No worries. And please, don’t call your friend Micah again until you hear from me. Also, don’t answer any calls unless they are me.”
“Why not?”
“Mia, please just don’t.”
“Okay fine.”
Archer hung up without saying goodbye. There hadn’t ever been anyone in his life to say that to before so he’d grown accustom to it.
As he pulled up to the massive structure that housed the old order, an armed guard met him at the door and held it open for him.
“They are expecting you.”
He figured as much since he had been the one to call and request a meeting. Everything was very formal. He ascended the stairs and the large front door opened before he could knock. He was welcomed inside where the guards did a formal pat down to make sure he was not carrying any weapons.
“Mr. Cervantes is expecting you in the drawing room.”
The gentleman pointed toward the closest corridor so Archer moved in that direction. Again, the door opened prior to reaching the entryway so he continued further.
“Mr. Danvers, it is a pleasure to see you. Won’t you sit?”
The gentleman that rose from the desk was very tall and much older than himself. He’d only met Marcus Cervantes on one other occasion, many years ago when he first arrived in the city.
“Thank you so much and please call me Archer.”
“I second that. First names would make our meeting much more comfortable. Please call me Marcus. Now tell me, what can I do for you today?”
Archer wasn’t quite sure that first names would make him any more comfortable. This meeting made him feel like he was having a harsh talk with his grandfather.
“Marcus, it has come to my attention that there are a group of immortals after a certain young lady. I’ve tracked these men to your order.”
“Who is the young lady?
“Her name is Mia Blackwood.”
“Ah yes, I know the name. What is she to you?”
“Honestly, I’m not quite sure. I can feel her in my very being, especially her emotions. She brings to life, emotions I haven’t had in too long.”
“That’s interesting. She is mortal correct?”
“She is.”
“I hate to say, but she is destined to die.”
“Why? What did she get into that has such grave consequences?”
“I assure you; it is no fault of her own. Her mother was to become my son’s bride. When she ran off with the young lady’s father, they sealed their fate.”
“The motorcycle accident.”
“Correct. I was friends with the old man for many years and it was an arrangement he and I agreed upon for his protection.”
“So how does Mia play into that arrangement?”
“For her grandfather’s continued protection, he promised this Mia, to be my son’s bride. On her grandfather’s deathbed, he cancelled our arrangement. You see, we cannot take a chance of the girl spreading around any information so there is only one solution.”
“What can I do to change your mind.”
“I would have to think on that. May I offer you a drink while you wait?”
“Yes, please, thank you.”
A gentleman brought him a sparkling water after Mr. Cervantes stepped from the room. He waited a good long while before the older man rejoined him.
“Mr. Danvers, excuse me, Archer. I have come up with a solution, please hear me out.”
Archer nodded his agreement. Anything to keep Mia safe.
CHAPTER SIX
“Hey, I didn’t expect you back so soon. I hope you don’t mind, I made myself at home and cooked dinner. There’s enough for you as well if you’re hungry.”
“No but thank you.”
“I guess you probably don’t eat real food do you? You did eat a steak at dinner the other night though. That confuses me. Wait, is everything okay? You don’t look so good, I mean, besides the vampire thing.”
“We need to talk.”
“So, the meeting didn’t go well.”
Archer picked up Mia’s legs and sat on the sofa, placing her legs across his own.
In his mind, he heard Marcus rep
eating what he’d told him was the only solution to save the girl.
To save the woman that you have apparently become connected to, you would need to marry her and within one year…make her immortal. If that happens, then she will be exempt from any further pursuit by the order.
He remained silent. He didn’t have the words to answer the older gentleman at first but then agreed, as it was really his only option. His challenge would be to convince Mia that it needed to happen for her to stay alive. It was the only way.
“I’m guessing by the look on your face that you don’t know how to tell me whatever it is.”
“You’re very perceptive. I still think psychic but that’s a challenge for another day. It’s just a long story, and too much to go in to right now but what I really need to tell you is that they are after you…because they want to kill you.”
“Well we knew that already right?”
“We assumed at least.”
“Okay, so what’s the rest? Do you know why they want to kill me? Archer, I know there’s more. You are acting really weird and when you act that way, there are things you’re not telling me.”
“How do you know that about me already? We’ve known each other for less than forty-eight hours.”
“I’m observant, I guess. I like to read people by their actions and reactions. Just tell me so we can move on.”
He glanced her way. Her eyes couldn’t help but smile but he was a little worried how she was going to react. She was right though. Just spit it out so they could handle it.
“So, I did have a meeting with the boss of the order, I guess you could call him that. Anyway, it was a good meeting as far as I’m concerned. I don’t want to go into the whole story right now but his solution to keep you alive is what we need to focus on.”
“That sounds like an idea I can definitely get behind.”
“Wait til you hear it. The only way to take you off of the order’s hit list, is for you to marry me.”
She looked at me.
Expressionless.
But then, as always, a smile appeared. He didn’t expect that.
“Okay.”
“Really?”
How can she know that quickly? She didn’t even hesitate before answering.
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 56