Beautiful Eternity

by Alicia Deters

  The next few hours we plotted and planned our next move, until the knock on our door came. I just hoped my friends were all fine with the new game plan.

  8

  “Hell yeah!” shouted Max. “I knew you’d come around, Luce.”

  “We’re in. One hundred percent in,” Nick exclaimed.

  So far they seemed elated with my change of heart. I couldn’t let my father come at them, which was why I planned on keeping them as close as possible. “This means no running off alone for any reason. I want you all in hearing distance of me at all times.”

  I thought that keeping my distance would be safer, because, well, trouble seemed to follow me around everywhere I went. But my meeting with the man who spawned me made me realize no one I cared about was safe, no matter how far they were from me.

  “Yeah, whatever. So we’re really going to Italy?” Allison asked, her excitement bubbling over her battle-ready walls.

  Her long blond hair was curled to perfection, and her pleated white skirt fluttered against her pink legging-clad legs as she bounced up and down. She looked like she belonged in a country club rather than with the Keepers. Nick stood two feet away checking her out shamelessly.

  Gavin had made all the arrangements after our chat earlier, and our flights were booked for tomorrow morning. Our only hope was to find the Sword of Michael before my father did. He had dreams of ruling the world, and it wasn’t a stretch to assume total domination included possessing the most powerful weapon ever forged. I knew that would be his next target, which was why we needed someone who was no stranger to research.

  “Sophie.”

  She jumped at the sound of Gavin’s voice. He never addressed her directly, so she withered against the wall and played with the hem of her pale blue sweater. “Yeah?” she asked meekly.

  He smiled kindly in an effort to not scare the crap out of her. “I think I may have something that will interest you. Follow me.”

  He turned to leave and she pushed off the wall, walking by me slowly. Our eyes met, and I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing at her deer in headlights look. She acted like she was on death row, headed to the electric chair.

  “It’s okay. They’re just books. They won’t hurt you,” I whispered.

  “Oh,” she said. Her entire demeanor changed, going from timid to confident. She followed Gavin to his office only to return holding as many ancient texts as she could carry, sporting a goofy grin that wouldn’t be leaving her face any time soon.

  Gavin trailed behind her, hefting several more tomes in those strong, corded arms of his. I admired his physique as he strode my way. He caught me checking him out and winked, reminding me of what we needed to finish later. I bit my lip to keep from sighing out loud.

  I turned my attention back to Sophie. “What do you have there, Soph?”

  “Some of these babies date all the way back to the first vampires, Lucy. First hand accounts from Daymarked vampires. Can you even imagine what kind of information I can dig out of these?” She stared lovingly at the old journals that were probably bound in human skin or whatever weird materials they used back then.

  “That’s awesome, Sophie, but can you even read those?” I moved to her and thumbed through the one on top of her stack, scanning the gibberish. “What language are they in?”

  “Not sure. But I have a really good translating program that might work.”

  “Why are we just now seeing these? Have you been holding out on us, Mr. West?” I turned my accusatory eyes on him.

  “No, Ms. Masters. In all honesty, I forgot about most of them, but they may or may not be useful. Even I can’t translate them. It seems to be some kind of combination between the ancient human and angelic languages. A common theory is that the direct blending between angel and human blood resulted in an inherent understanding of the angelic language among the first Daymarked vampires, but I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

  “Huh, and you came across these journals how?”

  He smirked at me. “I may have acquired them off an assassin leaving a library in Greece many years ago, figured they might be of some use if the First wanted them.”

  “Acquired or stole?”

  He shrugged innocently.

  “Nice,” replied Max in approval.

  “So we have a big journey ahead of us tomorrow. Whose up for partying tonight?” Nick asked.

  “I’m down,” Brody agreed. “Lucy?”

  I contemplated the danger in taking a few hours off to let loose. “Sure. Why not?”

  We could all use a night to unwind after grieving Helen and before facing the most powerful vampires in the world.

  †

  Gavin had come with us to the modern nightclub, but almost as soon as we arrived, he was pulled into a secluded corner to take an important phone call. I eyed him over the sea of sweaty bodies and through the colorful laser lights that made sweeping patterns across the dance floor to the timing of the bass. The white floor under my black caged pumps shined like marble, and I wondered how many girls fell victim to the lack of traction. The walls on either side of the stage, where the DJ stood, were full length projector screens, casting more of the same light shows in every direction. If this place didn’t enhance your buzz, I didn’t know what would.

  Allison grinded seductively against Nick, who looked like a very happy boy. Sophie danced awkwardly underneath her oversized black sweater dress that swallowed most of her small movements. She had to straighten her glasses every two seconds, and she never strayed too far from me, afraid of getting swallowed in the crowd, but even she seemed content. She laughed at every goofy move Brody made to outdo Max in their epic dance off.

  No offense to Brody, but Max was murdering him. He just had that smoothness and finesse that was hard to match.

  Gavin’s rigid stance and scowl told me he wasn’t having as good of a time as my friends, which made it difficult for me to fully commit to the fun. Sensing my thoughts, his head jerked up and his eyes found mine instantly.

  I gave him a small but weighted smile as I kept pace with the pounding music. The hands above my head slowly dropped, skimming the thin cotton of my white, loose tank. It dipped low and had large armholes to expose the black, lace bra underneath. I had considered wearing the red dress, but the element of surprise was gone now, so I’d wait until he’s had time to forget about it.

  His eyes tracked each movement of my hands, which ended on my tight, black faux-leather leggings that hugged my swaying hips.

  I witnessed the darkening of his eyes from here, but before he took an involuntary step toward me, a figure moved in front of me, blocking my view. A young guy with dark hair and equally dark eyes stepped into my personal space. He sported a cocky grin, flashing me his white teeth that contrasted his olive toned skin.

  “Hi. I’m Charlie. Dance with me?”

  I opened my mouth to turn him down, but someone else beat me to it. “She’s taken, friend. Move along,” Brody threatened. Max stepped up on my other side.

  “Yeah, brah, take a step back,” Max added, not in my defense, but because I knew he found this more amusing than anything else.

  He knew damn well I could handle myself. They both did, but I think Brody had more of that treat women with respect thing going, which I appreciated just as much. Whatever their intentions, I knew they both had my back, and my heart swelled with pride at my family sticking together when it mattered. I even heard Nick and Allison shuffling closer, and Sophie was practically clinging to my back in fear.

  “Relax boys, this gentleman was just leaving to find another dance partner.” I looked into his now unsure eyes, willing him to just leave.

  He looked to both Brody and Max at my sides and burst out laughing. “What? Are you doing both of these tools or something? I get it. Sorry to interrupt. I’ll find my own girl so your boyfriends don’t have to beat my ass.” He backed away, shaking his hands in the air showing exaggerated fear.

  His insul
ts disintegrated as he backed up a step and ran into a solid mass. Spinning to apologize to whomever he ran into, he retreated back the way he came to allow the man in front of him the space his intimidating aura, and his ego, demanded.

  “Actually, I’m the boyfriend.”

  The guy’s eyes widened as he tilted his head back to peer up at Gavin. This time his fear wasn’t faked. “Sorry, man. I didn’t know,” he shouted over the music.

  But Gavin’s eyes were on mine the entire time. He hadn’t paid the guy any attention at all. I was positive he only spoke so he could announce I was his. It didn’t matter who was listening. He stalked closer until his hand found my hip and curved around the small of my back, pressing me into his warm, hard planes.

  I shuttered at his touch and melted into him. He bent down to whisper in my ear, and my hands found his shoulders, gripping them tightly. His right hand still held his cell phone at his side.

  “I’m sorry, gorgeous. I have to go back to the office to handle something.”

  Anxiety crept in, and my eyebrows drew down in concern. “Is everything okay?”

  He pocketed his phone in his black jacket and his thumb came up to smooth out the worry lines on my forehead. “I’ll tell you about it later. Enjoy the rest of your night with your friends. I’ll see you at home.”

  Both hands cradled my face as he planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. Not satisfied, I grabbed the back of his neck to lift myself up to his smiling mouth. He parted my lips easily with his tongue and massaged mine languorously, devouring me in the middle of the dance floor. All too soon, he pulled away and winked at my pout.

  “Soon,” he mouthed before disappearing through the throng of undulating figures.

  †

  An hour later, my friends and I were joking around on the sidewalk outside the club as we waited for the cab we called. Brody was making fun of Nick for pawing at Allison while she dodged most of his advances. I had no idea what really went on between those two in private. I was just happy Nick finally moved past his crush on me.

  As Max played idly with his push knife, Sophie talked my ear off about translating Gavin’s books. Her excitement was beyond nerdy but adorable. Knowing she was fine with traveling halfway across the globe, toward some of the most dangerous vampires in the underworld put me at ease. We needed her. I needed all of them.

  A feminine squeal interrupted Sophie’s chatter, but it didn’t belong to Allison, and it wasn’t of the delighted variety. It came from behind the building. I raced down the side of the nightclub on the balls of my feet so my high heels wouldn’t snap, the footfalls of my friends trailing behind me.

  As I rounded the back of the club, I assessed the scene, making my presence known to the wannabe tough guys. “Hey!”

  Three men stopped tugging at the young woman’s clothes, who they had shoved against the brick wall, and their glassed-over gazes shot to me. Each of them appeared a bit on the rough side, with overgrown facial hair and rumpled clothing.

  Her drunken doe eyes met mine in a silent plea for help. Her long hair was tangled and her black leggings were torn at the waistband. They must have caught her leaving the club alone.

  Slow to react, the biggest one sneered. “Well, well, well. What do we have here boys. Are you looking to join us, honey?”

  “No, believe it or not, I was actually looking forward to having just one night where I didn’t have to kick anyone’s ass.”

  All three men laughed, and I heard my friends approaching from behind to stand beside me.

  “Don’t worry, Luce. Your wish is our command. We’ll take it from here. We don’t actually want you to murder anyone tonight, so you should probably sit this one out.”

  “You’re probably right, Max. I do get a little carried away sometimes.”

  The three men continued laughing as two of them moved toward us, while the third held onto the girl. The big wrestler sized spokesman of the group stepped toward me. “What is this? Some kind of after school superhero project? Run along, kids, before you get hurt.”

  He leered at me and raked his bloodshot eyes up and down my body. “Except you, honey. You can stay. The blond, too. There are three of us after all.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, big boy. This is a party, and I plan on enjoying myself. Boys?” I indicated my friends with a slight tilt of my head and they moved forward as a unit, circling the two advancing men.

  Max faced off with the wrestler by himself as Nick and Brody engaged the second guy, who was taller but leaner than the first with a greasy, honest to God, mullet. It only reached the top of his shoulders but there was no mistaking that little relic from the 80’s.

  The gentlemen with black hair and dark skin who held the young girl down looked torn between keeping her there and helping his buddies. I glanced at Allison and her answering smile told me she was game.

  “Stay close,” I whispered to Sophie, and she followed us as we moved on the outer edge of the skirmish.

  When the man noticed our approach, he straightened, loosening his hold on the girl. He reached for my throat at the same time Allison’s hand shot toward his face. The heel of her palm connected with his nose before he could react. A popping sound, barely audible over the sound of grunting, pleased my ears.

  “Nice,” I complimented before I realized who it was directed toward.

  Allison looked at me funny before rolling her eyes. “Whatever, vampire.”

  The guy hunched over cupping his bloody nose, while I took careful steps backward to avoid temptation. Allison shot an annoyed glance at the girl still huddled against the wall in fear.

  “What are you waiting for? Go!” shouted Allison.

  The girl took off down the same side of the building we approached from, and I turned in time to see the boys wrapping up their fight with the other two. Max had just landed a spin kick against the wrestler’s face, putting the douche out of commission for the night. Nick and Brody had already knocked the other guy out cold.

  “Everyone good?” I asked. I briefly wondered if my father was close by, watching us and plotting. This group of people had become my family, and I’d be damned for good before I’d let any harm come to them. I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of losing them.

  Heads nodded all around me, while Nick smiled. “That was awesome.”

  “Great. Now, let’s get out of here. I need a drink,” I warned.

  Without hesitation, each of them started toward the street. We made it just in time to see our cab driving away. Perfect. Guess my itchy fangs would have to wait.

  We entered the grand lobby less than an hour later. The group chatted animatedly as they moved toward the elevators. I spotted my favorite front desk man and couldn’t resist. I walked behind the group but just as I passed him, I stopped in my tracks and backpedalled. An irritated sigh left him when he realized he wasn’t in the clear yet.

  I smothered my glee as I bit my bottom lip and stepped up to the desk. Placing my forearms flat against the smooth granite, I leaned over into his space. “There’s my favorite person. Whatchya doin’?”

  His eyes stayed fastened on the computer screen in front of him as his chin jutted out defiantly in a show of ignoring me.

  “Aw, you’re no fun tonight, Greg. Is your little problem flaring up again?” His second audible sigh told me his patience grew thinner by the minute.

  I decided to give him a break for the night. “Okay, well, you keep playing coy with me, but I know you’ll miss me when I’m gone.”

  When I turned toward the stairs, I heard an amused snort behind me and smiled widely. He was warming up to me. I’d crack him eventually.

  Strolling toward the elevator bank, my eyes latched onto something in my peripherals. Max sat on the posh couch in the lobby, his head resting on the cushion behind him while staring blankly at the chandelier above.

  I strode over and planted my butt on the coffee table in front of him. “What’s up, buttercup?”

  His mout
h lifted at one corner, but he continued to watch the light refracting off the crystals. “It seems like no matter what I do, I can’t seem to put enough distance between me and that night in Canada. I see their faces no matter where I go. Wade’s, Jada’s, all our friends, and now Helen’s.”

  I looked down at my laced fingers and my thumbs twiddling absently. “So do I.”

  I felt his eyes seeking mine and looked up to see the torment there, the same kind with which I was incredibly intimate.

  “How do you deal with it?”

  I thought for a moment. “For a long time, I lashed out against everything and everyone. I used death as an excuse to be mad at the world, letting it become me until it was all I could see. It became my disease. My bitterness. I let it snuff out what life I had left in me.

  “Then, I met someone who showed me that death wasn’t the only part of life. I began to see the things I still had. Now, I fight for the living instead of the dead. I honor those who aren’t with us anymore by what they gave to me and my life. The pain doesn’t go away, and I don’t want it to, because that’s also a part of living. Death is a part of you now, but you can’t let it consume you.”

  He sat there, absorbing my words as tears welled in his eyes. “I know you’re right Lucy, but the pain is too much. I’m haunted by that night every time I close my eyes. I’ve never been that close to the fight before.”

  Sorrow punched through my gut, lodging deep in my chest. I couldn’t take his pain, only share it with him. Living in a world between life and death was something I accepted a long time ago, but no one else should have to. I hated seeing people I cared for go through this.

  “I’m so sorry, Max. You guys didn’t sign up for that. I brought that fight to you. I can’t seem to stop leaving a wake of destruction every where I go.”

  This seemed to snap him out of his own head. He glared at me like I just smashed his ice cream cone in his face. “Lucy, no one is blaming you. And what the hell? That’s exactly what we signed up for. We all knew what was out there. We knew the risks. You heard it. We all have our reasons for being in this fight, but none of us regret it. We’d all die trying to protect our own. And that includes you, Lucy. You’re one of us. You’re a Keeper.”