His Dark Embrace

by Ashley, Amanda

  Kaiden stood in the hallway, balancing the pizza and salad boxes in one hand and holding a large Coke in the other.

  “What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, hating the tremor in her voice.

  “We need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t.” She shook her head. “Not now. I’m not ready. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”

  “Dammit, Skylynn, stop looking at me as if I was the big bad wolf. I’m not going to eat you.”

  “But you have, haven’t you? You don’t have to answer. I can see the truth in your eyes.” Eyes that were thankfully a dark brown instead of red and glowing.

  “Here.” He thrust the food at her. “Your pizza’s getting cold.”

  Muttering “Thank you,” she kicked the door shut with her foot. Feeling light-headed, she carried everything into the kitchen and set it on the counter, then dropped into one of the kitchen chairs, her head spinning. Fat lot of good running away did, she thought bleakly. How had he found her? Foolish question. Where else would she have gone but back to Chicago?

  He had taken her blood. According to vampire lore, he would now be able to find her no matter where she went. Did it also give him access to her thoughts? Was that how she had heard his voice in her head?

  She propped her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her hands. Like a nightmare that wouldn’t end, it just got worse and worse.

  Thorne stared at the closed door for several moments before he turned away. Well, what had he expected? That she would welcome him into her apartment with open arms? Intellectually, he had known that wouldn’t happen, but he had hoped she would at least let him explain. Of course, now that he thought about it, there really wasn’t much to say. He was a vampire and nothing could change that. Even McNamara’s miraculous potion hadn’t been able to accomplish it, though it had come close. So damn close.

  Outside, Thorne glanced up and down the street and then, with no destination in mind, he began to walk. There had to be some way to reestablish communication with Skylynn, some way to get her to trust him again. Some way to get her back into his life.

  Sky would never have discovered what he was if he could only have persuaded Paddy to give him the formula. If ... if... if.

  After a time, he found himself in the business district. Most of the places were closed for the night, but piano music drifted from the open door of a small neighborhood bar. He paused in the doorway a moment and then went inside. Other than the bartender, there were only two people in the place—a gray-haired man sipping a glass of beer and a frowsy, red-headed woman who appeared to be dozing in one of the booths.

  Thorne ordered a glass of wine, which he carried to a booth in the rear. He stared at the burgundy, his mind going back in time, back to the night he had saved Paddy McNamara’s life ...

  It had been a cold night in January, a year or two after Thorne had returned to Vista Verde. He had been on the hunt when he heard a scuffle behind the old hospital on Mill Creek Road. Curious, he had gone to investigate and found two street toughs going through McNamara’s pockets. Never one to pass up a meal, Thorne had quickly hypnotized the two thugs and drank from both. And then, for a lark, he had ordered them to go to the police station and turn themselves in. Thorne had been about to leave when Paddy muttered a word that glued Thorne’s feet to the spot.

  “Vampire.”

  Thorne had whirled around, his only thought to wipe the incident from his neighbor’s mind.

  Paddy held up one hand. “Before you kill me, Mr. Thorne, I think I can help you.”

  “Help me? Help me what?”

  “Do you like being a monster?” Paddy asked boldly.

  “What do you know about it?”

  The old man gained his feet and dusted himself off. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth, one eye was already swollen shut. “I’ve been doing some experimentation with an elixir to prolong life... .”

  Thorne snorted. “That’s not something I need.”

  Paddy shrugged. “I think, with a few modifications, I can restore your humanity.”

  “You can make me human again?”

  “Not exactly, but I think my formula might inhibit vampire tendencies. Wouldn’t you like to walk in the sun again? Enjoy a glass of cold beer on a hot day? Eat mortal food?”

  Thorne rocked back on his heels, intrigued by the man’s offer. He hadn’t seen the sun or eaten solid food in centuries.

  “So, what do you say?” Paddy asked. “Are you game to give it a try?”

  Thorne shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He didn’t know what the old man was up to, but being a vampire wasn’t an illness that could be treated. Once a vampire, always a vampire. “You’d better go get those cuts stitched up.”

  Paddy shrugged off Thorne’s concern. “I’ll be all right, thanks to you.”

  “Suit yourself. If you want to stay healthy, you won’t tell anyone about me.”

  “Don’t worry, Mr. Thorne. I can keep a secret. If you change your mind, you know where I live.”

  Thorne had thought about what McNamara said for several days. In the end, curiosity had sent him across the street and down to Paddy’s lab where he had endured numerous excruciating tests. The worst part had been letting Paddy secure him to a chair with thick silver chains while the old man conducted his experiments.

  Thorne rubbed his wrists, remembering how the silver had burned through his clothing to his skin. It had taken years of tests, of trial and error, before Paddy came up with the right formula, but in the end, it had been worth it.

  But that was all in the past. His problem now was how to restore Skylynn’s trust in him. And that, he thought, would take an even bigger miracle than the one McNamara’s potion had wrought.

  Chapter 15

  The last thing Girard Desmarais had seen before the world went black was the first thing he saw when his senses returned the next night—a pair of hell-red eyes.

  “Am I dead?” He hadn’t realized he had spoken aloud until she laughed.

  “Undead,” she purred. She ran her hand over his shoulder and up the side of his neck. “How do you feel?”

  “I don’t know.” Sitting up, he scrubbed his hands over his face. His skin felt different, smoother, firmer.

  Cassandra smiled a knowing smile but didn’t say anything.

  Girard lifted his hands. They were still spotted with age, but the tremor was gone.

  He took a deep breath and felt the preternatural power rise up within him like the fountain of youth. “Is this how you feel? As if you could tear the world apart with your teeth?”

  Her laughter filled the room. “I have, from time to time.”

  Springing to his feet, Girard paced the floor. He felt as strong and invincible as he had in his prime, as if the juices of youth were flowing through him again. “I should have done this years ago.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me who you were last night?” The laughter was gone from her voice now and she was watching him like a cat at a mouse hole.

  Fear skittered down Girard’s spine. “What do you mean?”

  “I know who you are, Girard Desmarais,” she said, her voice as cold as the grave. “What you are.”

  “What am I?” His renewed vigor made him insolent.

  “A hunter.” Venom dripped from the words.

  He didn’t deny it. What was the point? As soon as she had taken his blood, all his secrets had been revealed. “Now what?”

  She rose in a single fluid movement and in the blink of an eye, she stood before him. Even though he was a good six inches taller, there was no doubt in his mind who was stronger.

  Her power pushed against him, forcing him to take a step backward. “I should destroy you, if for no other reason than to avenge those of my kind that you have destroyed.”

  Girard had known fear before, many times, but never anything like the gut-wrenching terror that trapped the breath in his lungs and turned his blood to ice. He had no doubt that she could destroy him with no effo
rt at all.

  “Nothing to say?” She raked her nail across his cheek, hard enough to draw blood. “Have you seen Kaiden lately?”

  He hadn’t thought his fear could get any worse. He had been wrong.

  She leaned forward, licking the blood from his cheek. “Did you know I’m the one who brought him across?”

  Incapable of speech, Girard shook his head.

  “Still hunting him, are you?”

  There was little to be gained by denying it.

  She laughed softly. “You were no match for him as a mortal, even when you were in your prime. And you’re no match for him now. If you want to enjoy your new life, I suggest you forget about avenging yourself on him.” She circled him like a shark closing in on a wounded fish, her hand trailing over his back, his chest, coming to rest on his throat. “I was going to destroy you, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m curious to see how you adjust to your new life. But be warned. If you hurt Kaiden Thorne, you will answer to me.”

  The heat of her gaze seared him, hotter than a thousand suns.

  Girard staggered backward, then tumbled onto the bed. Suddenly, becoming a vampire didn’t seem like such a smart idea after all.

  Her gaze burned into him a moment longer and then the red faded from her eyes.

  “You must be hungry.”

  He nodded.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  Gathering what dignity he could, he regained his feet and made a big production of straightening his clothing. “I was waiting to see if I was going to be your dinner.”

  She laughed, a remarkably youthful, sexy sound. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter 16

  Skylynn had spent a restless night after Kaiden’s visit. She had gone to bed early, only to lie awake for hours sorting through her feelings.

  The next morning, she awoke feeling as though she hadn’t slept at all. Reluctant to face the day, she pulled the covers back over her head and went back to sleep.

  It was midafternoon when she dragged herself into the kitchen. Two cups of strong coffee had her feeling a little better.

  When she could think coherently, she dialed Tara’s number.

  “Hey,” Tara said. “I was just going to call you. How are you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Uh-oh, what’s wrong? Is it ... you didn’t ... oh, Lord, it’s not Sam, is it?”

  “No, I still haven’t heard anything.”

  “Thank goodness. Well, what is it then?”

  “I’m so confused, I just don’t know what to do.”

  “Sounds like man trouble to me. Come on, tell me all about it.”

  “You remember I told you about the guy across the street?”

  “The odd one who mowed his yard in the dark? That guy?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Don’t tell me he’s mowing the yard in the nude now.”

  “No, silly, nothing like that.” Sky tucked her legs under her as she tried to decide what to say. “I’ve been seeing a lot of him, or I was.”

  “Really? I remember you said you had a crush on him when you were younger, but ... well, isn’t he a lot older than you are?”

  “You have no idea,” Sky muttered. “The thing is, I’m afraid that crush has turned into something much stronger.”

  “How strong?”

  “I might be in love with him.” Admit it, she thought. There’s no might about it.

  “Sky, that’s great!”

  “No, not so great. I found out something about him. Something I don’t think I can live with.”

  “Oh, no, what is it? He’s not already married, is he?”

  “No, it’s nothing like that. I can’t tell you what it is. I’m not sure why I even called except I had to talk to someone.”

  “You can tell me. You know I won’t tell anyone else.”

  “I wish I could, believe me, but I just can’t.”

  “Is this one of those ‘I could tell you but I’d have to kill you’ kind of things?” Tara asked dryly.

  “Sort of. The thing is, I just don’t know what to do. He wants us to talk it over, but the thing is, talking won’t help. It’s part of him, something that can’t be changed.”

  Tara made a soft sound of sympathy. “He’s not impotent, is he?”

  “No, silly.”

  “And you know that because ... ?”

  “Never mind.”

  “Well, I’d love to be able to give you some advice, but without knowing what the problem is, all I can say is, if you really love him ... well, I guess you just have to accept it if you can, and if you can’t ...”

  “I know. Enough about me,” Sky said, suddenly eager to change the subject. “How’s the wedding coming along? Have you set the date yet?”

  There was a long silence before Tara said, “No. My dad had a heart attack. He’s scheduled for a triple bypass as soon as he’s strong enough for the operation, so the wedding’s on hold.”

  “Oh, Tara, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

  “Just pray for him.”

  “I will. Listen, I’m in town for a few days. Maybe we can get together... .”

  “I wish I could, but I’m not home. My mom isn’t handling this very well, so I took a leave of absence to stay with her.”

  “Of course, she needs you.” Tara’s parents lived in Vermont. “Keep in touch.”

  “I will. And let me know how things work out between you and ... what’s his name, anyway?”

  “Kaiden.”

  “Oh, girl, you’ve got it bad, don’t you? I can hear it in your voice.”

  “Yeah, I’m afraid so. Talk to you soon.”

  Skylynn sighed as she disconnected the call. You just never knew what twists and turns waited for you down the road.

  She needed some fresh air. Grabbing her handbag, she hurried outside, got into her rental car, and drove to her favorite restaurant.

  Lingering over a piece of blueberry pie, she contemplated going to a movie, but, mindful that Kaiden might still be in town, she hurried home, determined to be inside before dark.

  After returning to her apartment, she went from room to room to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. With Tara out of town, there was no point in staying any longer.

  Once everything was packed, she curled up on the sofa with an old photograph album that had belonged to her parents. As soon as she flipped to the first page, she was swept into the past. She smiled as she turned the pages. There were photos of her parents, of Granda and Grams, of herself and Sam, of numerous cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens. A photo of the dog that had eaten one of the chickens.

  She leaned forward, her gaze narrowing as she studied an old photo of Kaiden’s house. It had been taken on Halloween. She squinted at the image of the little girl in the fairy costume on the front porch. She remembered that night. It was the first time she had gone trick-or-treating at Kaiden’s. Granda must have taken it before she turned and ran for home, screaming bloody murder. The next photo showed someone wearing a skeleton costume, doubled over laughing. Sam.

  She thumbed through the pages, stopping when she came to a photo of Sam in his uniform. He looked so young, she thought, so proud. Where was he now? Would she ever see him again? As always, whenever she thought of her brother, she sent a silent prayer to heaven begging for his safe return.

  Thorne stood on the sidewalk in front of Sky’s apartment, considering and rejecting ways to get back into her good graces, or at least convince her to talk to him.

  He could always force her to listen. It would be all too easy to overpower her will with his, to make her listen. If he was so inclined, he could mess with her mind. He could make her think she was in love with him, make her forget he was a vampire. He had to admit the idea was tempting except for one thing. He didn’t want a robot.

  He was still considering and rejecting ideas when a subtle ripple in the air warned him he was no longer alone. He turned as the other vampire materialized beside him.
<
br />   She was still the most beautiful creature he had ever known. Her hair fell in a long brown braid down her back, her eyes were still the greenest he had ever seen. Her skin was still like alabaster, clear and perfect.

  “Death.” Her name slipped past his lips, soft as a sigh.

  She laughed softly. “I haven’t gone by that name in centuries.”

  He wasn’t surprised. Living as long as they did, vampires often changed their names, sometimes because of necessity, sometimes out of boredom.

  “It was so old-fashioned,” she explained airily. “No one believes in the old gods anymore. I go by Cassandra now. But enough about me. How have you been, Kaiden?”

  “The same as always.” He saw no reason to tell her of his brief stint as a near mortal. “What brings you here?”

  “I thought you should know that I brought a friend of yours across.”

  That gave him pause. A friend? He didn’t have any mortal friends, and damn few immortal ones. “Really? Who might that be?”

  “Desmarais.”

  Thorne stared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing. “Why the hell would you do that?”

  “I didn’t know who he was until the deed was done.” She held up her hand, silencing him. “I know, I should have been more careful, but”—she shrugged—“he was looking for a vampire, and I was hungry.”

  “Well, that’s just great,” Thorne muttered.

  “I know he’s been hunting you, but don’t worry. I warned him that if he hurt you, he would answer to me.”

  “Hurt me? He wants my head.”

  “If he takes it, he’ll lose his own.”

  “I’m sure that’ll be a great comfort when the time comes.”

  “Very funny.”

  “As for Desmarais, I’m a big boy. I can fight my own battles.”

  “You know how mothers are,” she said, grinning. “No matter how old our sons get, they’re still our little boys.”

  Thorne snorted. “What the devil would you know about being a mother?”