She ran back to the kitchen to find Vlad holding a piece of paper in his hand. He held it out to her.
“What is it?” Laura asked, accepting the small piece of paper.
“A message to their housekeeper to feed the cat while they are out of town visiting your Aunt Mabel.”
Panic once again reared its ugly head. “Aunt Mabel has been dead for twelve years, Vlad. As a matter of fact, we just spoke about it on the phone this morning. Mom suggested I use Mabel as an excuse to take off from work.”
Vlad pushed his hood back from his face. “The message was intentional. Your mother is very resourceful.”
“You mean—”
“Calimari has your parents.”
The room tilted beneath Laura’s feet. She grabbed onto the counter to keep from falling. “We have to find them, Vlad. My mother is a diabetic, and my father is on every medication known to man. They are so frail, Vlad. Please.”
“Calm down,” Vlad insisted, taking hold of her hand. “Gina obviously took them for a reason. If she wanted them dead, we would have found pieces of them all over this room.”
“Oh, God,” Laura cried, slapping a hand over her mouth.
“I am sorry to be so blunt. I am used to dealing with vampires. Please accept my apology.”
Laura could only stare at him through tear-filled eyes.
“My point is,” Vlad continued, “Gina did not want them dead. She needs them. So, for now, they are safe. Do you understand?”
Laura nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. “How do we find them?”
“My guess is that young Shon will lead us to them once he returns.”
“You think she will let Shon go?”
Vlad shrugged a cloak-covered shoulder. “I cannot be certain, but I believe that she will.”
Laura retrieved a glass, filled it with water, and took a healthy drink. “Why would she take him only to let him go?”
“Because it is not the fledgling that she wants.”
“Then who does she want?”
“Me.” Vlad turned toward the door, leaving Laura little choice but to follow.
“What does she want with you?”
Vlad waited until they were both seated in the car before answering. “Because I am one of the only two immortals left on this godforsaken earth.”
Laura turned the car toward the parkway. “Then why kill you? It makes no sense.”
Vlad recited the story of the vampires’ origin, ending with, “I’m assuming it’s my heart Gina is after. She needs it to bring the mother of all vampires back from the dead. Only I am not sure why she would want to resurrect Lilith.”
Laura shuddered. “A year ago, I had no idea that vampires existed. Yet, not only does one have my parents, but my best friend and her cousin are vampires. Now, you’re telling me there is a chance that Lilith, mother of all things evil, could be brought back from the dead?”
“Not all vampires are evil, Miss. Donovan. We are merely different.” He glanced at her before turning to stare out the window. “You dwell in the sun, while we exist in darkness. You ingest food for survival; we rely on blood to sustain us. We are opposites, yes, but we live and breathe just the same.”
Laura let that soak in. “Do vampires have the same kind of feelings as we do?”
“No,” Vlad muttered, turning to face her. “Our feelings are deeper, more precise, and often more painful. We do not handle rejection very well, and yet we live with it because we must.”
“Have you ever been in love?” Laura wasn’t sure why she asked the question. Perhaps it had something to do with the underlying loneliness resting in the depths of his pale blue eyes.
He shook his head. “I have never found my mate.”
“But you had children,” Laura pointed out. “Angel is related to you, isn’t he?”
Vlad softly laughed. “One does not need to be in love to sire children. And yes, Angelo’s grandfather, Marco, is my son.
“Was Marco’s mother human?”
“She was vampire. Marco’s mate, being human, weakened the bloodline somewhat.”
“Is Angel’s mother vampire?”
“She is. His father as well.”
“But his father would be half vampire.”
Vlad’s pale blue eyes, narrowed. “Angelo’s father carries my blood in his veins. He is one of the most powerful vampires in the world.”
Laura blew out a breath. “Sorry. I meant no offense.”
“None taken.”
“My parents are one hundred percent human, Vlad. Not to mention on up in age. They will never survive Gina’s evil. We have to get them back.”
“Gina will not kill them. Not until she gets what she is after. They will be kept alive to insure Shon’s obedience.”
“And if he doesn’t come through for her?”
Vlad stared at her without blinking. “Then you will have cause to worry.”
The rest of the drive was spent in silence with Laura tormenting herself over her parents’ abduction. She would never forgive herself if something happened to either of them.
An image of Shon feeding from Gina’s delicate throat floated through Laura’s already tortured mind.
Laura tried telling herself that she didn’t care if Shon fed from the platinum-blonde bloodsucker, but she knew it to be bullshit the moment it entered her mind. As much as it pained her to admit it, she did care. A lot.
“Do not over think your feelings, Miss. Donovan,” Vlad murmured as she pulled into the parking lot of Ember’s condo. “I have found it to be easier to allow things to happen as they will.”
“Is that why you never mated?” Laura barked, switching off the car and climbing out.
Vlad had the audacity to laugh. “You will make a perfect match for young Shon.”
Laura strode toward the stairs with her chin held high. “I highly doubt that.”
Chapter Sixteen
Shon switched off his bike and stood. He’d spent the entire ride back to the condo wondering how the hell he was going to retrieve Vlad’s heart and deliver it to Gina.
But first he’d have to pull off the impossible by removing the heart of one of the most powerful vampires in the world.
“Fuck me,” Shon growled, climbing the steps to Ember’s condo.
Vlad was suddenly there, looming before him like some freak of nature, wearing that damn black hooded cloak.
“You do realize it’s summer,” Shon remarked, stopping a couple of steps below the elder. “That whole Dracula ensemble has got to be hotter than ten hells.”
“You have seen Gina.” It wasn’t a question.
It didn’t surprise Shon that Vlad had known of his whereabouts. It meant that Laura was safe. “You found Laura.”
“She found me, actually. She is tucked away inside with Angel and his visiting dog.”
“The shifter is still here?”
Vlad pushed his hood back. “It would appear that Angelo feels the need to keep her close now that we are no longer flying to Alaska.”
“But Laura needs to be far from this place, Vlad. Why cancel the trip?”
“Because Gina has her parents.”
Rage flew through Shon so fast his fangs ripped through his gums. “She what?”
“When Laura’s parents would not answer the phone, we went to their home and found a note the mother had left. It was addressed to the housekeeper.” Vlad pulled the piece of paper from his cloak pocket and handed it to Shon.
Scanning the message, Shon lifted his gaze. “Laura’s aunt Mabel has been dead for years.”
“Exactly,” Vlad agreed. He quickly filled Shon in on the conversation between Laura and her mother Irene earlier that morning. Ending with, “Which is why Irene used Mabel’s name in the message. She knew that Laura would realize something had happened to her.”
“And you’re sure it’s Gina that took them?”
Vlad merely lifted an eyebrow.
“Sorry. I forget who you are sometimes.” Shon turned to
go, nearly running into Vlad at the foot of the stairs. He hadn’t seen or felt the vampire move. “Is there a problem?”
“Where are you going?”
“To get Laura’s parents back.”
Vlad rested a hand on Shon’s arm. “Gina will not relinquish Laura’s parents until you have delivered my heart to her. And probably not then either.”
Shon went completely still. “How…”
“It matters not how I know. Suffice it to say, it does not surprise me.”
“She has my brother,” Shon ground out between clenched teeth.”
“I am aware.”
“Calimari will have John killed if I don’t produce your heart.”
Vlad returned the hood to his head, hiding his face from view. “How long did she give you?”
“Five days,” Shon rasped.
“Not much time.” The elder vampire leisurely strolled to the bottom of the stairs.
“Time for what?” Shon questioned, following tight on Vlad’s heels.
“To figure out where Gina is holding Laura’s parents.”
“And then what?”
Vlad stopped in the parking lot, his back to Shon. “I remove her head.”
* * * *
Angel gently laid his sleeping son in his crib before returning to the living room and taking a seat next to his beautiful wife.
“His sleeping pattern has been disturbed,” Ember whispered, laying a hand on Angel’s knee.
“It could have something to do with my presence,” Nita murmured from her position at the bar.
Angel glanced at the shifter’s profile, watching as she held a wineglass up to the light, seemingly fascinated by the ruby liquid swirling in its depths. “Why would you think that?”
Nita set her glass on the bar and swiveled her stool around to face him. “Because, I am a shifter, his natural-born enemy. Perhaps he can sense that in me.”
“But he took right to you,” Ember pointed out. “I can tell that he’s comfortable with you.”
Nita sent her a soft smile. “His heart and his nature are two very different things. His mind tells him that I am friend, yet his instincts suggest I am foe.”
“Are you?” Ember quietly asked.
“I am not your enemy, Ember Dimitrov. Your husband saved my life, and for that, I am in his debt.”
Angel rested a booted foot over his knee. “Your people might not agree with your sentiments, Nita. Mine too, for that matter.”
Nita shifted her gaze toward the door. “You refer to the Impaler?”
“Among others,” Angel muttered, placing his arm around Ember’s shoulder and pulling her close.
Nita chuckled, a soft, throaty sound that complemented her warm personality. “Vlad does not scare me, Angelo.”
“He should,” Angel insisted, pinning her with a concerned look. “You have no idea how powerful he truly is, Nita. He could wipe out an entire coven of alert witches without sounding the first alarm.”
Maybe so, but I am not without a certain amount of power myself. Do not underestimate me, my friend.”
Angel blew out a breath. “I am well aware of your strength, Nita. But I also witnessed you nearly die at the hands of my kind.”
Nita slowly stood, anger seeping from her in waves. “I was but a child, Angelo, fighting at least a dozen vampires—”
“Thirteen. There were thirteen,” Angel quickly amended. “I meant no offense. I’m merely pointing out that Vlad possesses more power chained, drained, and maimed than a large group of seasoned vampires.”
Something flickered in Nita’s eyes, but she didn’t back down. “I’m not afraid of him, Angel. And I am not leaving here until I am certain the Seeker has been destroyed.”
“That could be a long time,” Ember suggested, getting to her feet. “We don’t even know who he is.”
Angel moved to stand also, but Ember touched him on the shoulder, effectively halting him. “I’m just going to check on Laura. I’ll be fine.”
With a nod, Angel watched his wife leave the room. He wanted nothing more than to take her to bed and love the tension from her body.
“You are a very lucky man,” Nita voiced, bringing his attention back to her.
Angel’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Yes, I am. Ember and Lucius mean the world to me.”
“I can tell.”
“How come you have not mated yet? If you don’t mind my asking.”
A shadow passed through her amber eyes. “I’m going to do some snooping and grab a bite to eat. I’ll be back before daylight.”
Angel quickly stood. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“I know. It’s fine.” She hurried toward the door. “See you later.”
What a strange creature, Angel thought as he strode off toward the bedroom in search of his wife. Strange indeed.
Chapter Seventeen
Laura wiped at the tears drying on her cheeks and met her best friend’s gaze. “If something happens to either of my parents…”
“Nothing is going to happen to them, honey. Gina may be a lot of things, but she’s not stupid.”
“Speak for yourself,” Laura murmured. “I happen to think she’s the biggest idiot walking on two legs.”
Ember plopped down beside Laura on the foot of the bed. “You’re right. She is an idiot, but she won’t harm your parents. She needs them too much.”
“They need their medicine,” Laura bit out. “They won’t survive without it.”
Angel cautiously poked his head around the door. “May I come in?”
Laura smiled for the first time in days. The sight of Angel standing in the doorway with uncertainty shining in his normally alpha eyes was exactly what she needed. “Of course. It’s your bedroom.”
“Is everything okay?” He stepped farther into the room.
Laura stood. “Yes. I’m just worried about Mom and Dad.”
“We’ll get them back unharmed,” Angel assured her. “I promise.”
Laura wanted to believe him. “But how? She obviously wants Vlad’s heart. And Vlad thinks that she will send Shon to retrieve it. If she hasn’t killed the asshole already.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” Shon rumbled, marching into the room. “But the asshole is still alive.”
Relief poured through Laura at the sight of an unharmed Shon. She quickly reined in her emotions. “So, she let you go, just like that?”
“Nothing quite so simple, sugar plum. But yes, she did let me go.”
Laura’s heart pounded loud enough she was sure the vampires surrounding her could hear it. “What now?”
“Now we get some rest. Tomorrow night, we call a meeting with the elders.”
Angel’s eyebrows shot up. “All of them?”
“Every last one of their ancient asses,” Shon confirmed with a nod. “So, I suggest we all feed up and rest up.”
Angel glanced at Ember before meeting Shon’s gaze once again. “I’d rather Laura not be here for that. Nita, either.”
Laura threw up her hands. “Why the hell not?”
“Because,” Angel explained in a soft voice, “some of them are without a conscience. They lack morals and have no tolerance for shifters.”
“But I’m not a shifter.”
“No. You’re a meal,” Shon piped in, reaching for her hand.
Laura moved back out of reach, her stomach in knots. “Is that what you think I am? A meal?”
The corner of Shon’s mouth lifted. “Depends on what type of meal you’re referring to.”
Angel quickly intervened. “The elders cannot be trusted, Laura. Not all of them, at any rate.”
“But Vlad’s an elder, isn’t he? And he was a perfect gentleman to me.”
Angel shook his head. “At one time, Vlad was our king. He ruled for centuries, leading our people with an iron fist and a level head. Until he grew tired of the political bullshit that came with handling a bunch of ruthless vampires.”
“What happened?” It was Ember who aske
d the softly spoken question.
“He walked away from it. The elders eventually rallied together to rule as one, and they have been doing so ever since.”
“So, Vlad has no pull with the elders?” Laura had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Angel casually leaned against the dresser. “I didn’t say that. He will probably always have some form of power over them. Or he could if he exerted it.”
“And I’m sure they just love that,” Shon drawled, reaching for Laura’s hand once again.
With a sigh of resignation, Laura accepted his palm. The feel of his warm skin against hers sent tingles throughout her body. “Yeah, what Shon said. I’ll bet they resent his power over them.”
Angel shrugged. “Probably. But there’s nothing they can do about it.”
Shon tugged Laura forward. “I’m going to take Miss Clairol next door for a hot bath and a nap. And not necessarily in that order.”
Laura tried to disengage her hand from his hold, but he only held on tighter. “My hair is natural, thank you very much.”
“Sure it is,” he teased, pulling her toward the door.
Laura gave Ember a quick hug before following Mr. Sarcastic down the hall and out onto the deck. “Where’s Vlad?”
Shon stiffened but didn’t turn around. Laura could feel the tension coming from him. “He’s gone to feed.”
“I thought he didn’t need to feed that often.”
Opening Angel’s condo door, Shon stepped back to allow Laura entrance. “He’s about to face over a dozen elders. I’m sure he’ll want to be at his strongest. Why are you worried about Vlad?”
Laura pulled her hand free of his and watched as he engaged the locks on the door. “I’m not worried. I’m only curious. How soon do you think they’ll arrive?”
“I don’t know. I’ll speak with Vlad about it when he returns from his feeding.”
“Do you know how disgusting that sounds?”
Shon was suddenly in her face, his lips hovering inches above hers. His warm breath tickled her skin as he whispered, “It’s really quite erotic. A hot mouth on your skin. The stroke of a tongue preparing your vein for a swift, powerful penetration.”
Laura’s knees felt weak. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think as she stared at his intoxicating mouth slowly moving ever closer toward hers.
Shon (The Seeker Series Book 2) Page 7