Forever - 02

by Lauren Burd

  As soon as we reached the garage, Samuel popped the dead bolt. I waited for the alarm to sound, but the blaring ring never came. Thanos probably believed that no one would be stupid enough to steal from him. In truth, he was correct. We were just desperate enough not to care.

  Looking down the long row of luxury vehicles, I couldn’t help feeling jealous. I turned around to see Samuel opening a cabinet. Inside, the keys hung neatly on their hooks with nametags above each dangling piece of metal.

  “Is there anything you’re partial to?” he asked.

  I noticed the steel gray sports car near the far end of the garage. “Do you think Thanos would mind terribly if we borrowed the GTR?”

  Samuel looked like he might laugh. Grabbing the key from its hook, he hit the button to open the garage door in front of the GTR. Our steps echoed in the empty space as we ran down to the waiting vehicle, but the sound was off. It took a moment for me to realize that the echo didn’t belong to us. It seemed like Thanos wasn’t as trusting as I had thought. There must have been a silent alarm.

  I slid into the passenger seat as the garage door in front of us began to slide open. Samuel joined me a moment later. Glancing out the passenger window, I saw two men running toward us down the line of cars. They had probably entered the garage via the door we had used, with its now-useless lock. Their footsteps bounced off the concrete walls and metal doors as they attempted to catch up to us.

  “Buckle up,” Samuel said.

  He gunned the engine, and the car shot forward. Several figures dove out of the way, as we careened out of the barely open garage door. Without missing a beat, Samuel shifted gears. We were easily going over seventy when we passed the front of the mansion.

  Small groups of people stood in the drive, but none attempted to stop us. One face in the crowd jumped out at me. Duncan stood in the front row, a mixture of emotions crossing his face. I couldn’t help feeling guilty as we sped away into the night.

  “Do you think he’ll come after us?” I asked once we were through the gate.

  Samuel looked straight ahead. “Without a doubt.”

  Lost Time

  Once we hit the open road, Samuel accelerated. Taking the curves insanely fast, he refused to slow down. It wasn’t until we made it into Lille that he slowed to a more normal speed.

  “We need to find another car,” he said. “I’m sure Thanos has this one equipped with a GPS tracking chip.”

  I knew he was right, but the thought of abandoning the beautiful car disheartened me. He drove around a large apartment complex searching for an appropriate substitute. When he pulled in next to a BMW, my stomach jumped into the back of my throat. I had a feeling what he was about to do, and I really didn’t want to be a part of it.

  “Stay here,” Samuel ordered as he opened the driver’s side door.

  He walked around the car, dragging his hand along the edge. I waited for the car alarm to sound, but he eventually stood up holding his prize, the key to the vehicle. Walking back over to me, he opened the passenger door and leaned in.

  “I want you to follow me. We need to head to a different part of town to ditch this car.”

  I nodded, feeling worse by the second. I had never committed a crime in my life. I had never even cheated on a test. In the past hour, I’d been a willing accomplice in two car thefts and breaking and entering. I hoped it wasn’t the start of a trend.

  I followed Samuel as he drove the BMW to a rundown part of town. Pulling to a stop, he motioned me to pull up beside him.

  “I’ll wait here. Park the car in the alley. Leave it unlocked and the keys in the ignition.”

  A frown pulled down the corners of my mouth, but I didn’t argue. A few people watched our exchange from the shadows, and I could feel wary eyes on us from several of the surrounding buildings. The GTR wouldn’t last very long in a neighborhood like this.

  After doing as Samuel asked, I ran to join him. I almost hoped someone would call the cops to report the vehicle, but I knew the longer it took them to find the car, the better it would be for us. I threw one last longing glance at the sleek beauty before we drove out of sight.

  “So, what’s the plan?” I asked, breaking the silence.

  “We’ll head into Paris,” he answered. “It’ll be harder to track us from there. I’ll get in touch with Ethan, and we can come up with what to do next.”

  I furrowed my brow in confusion. “Who’s Ethan?”

  Samuel gave a laugh, but it held little humor. “He’s a friend. You don’t remember him?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t remember much about the past few months. Dr. Williams said it was one of the side effects of the infection.”

  Samuel tightened his grip on the steering wheel but said nothing.

  “How did you find out where I was?” I asked.

  “Duncan called and told me.”

  “I don’t understand. Why did he call you?” I was having trouble merging what Samuel said with what Duncan had told me. It didn’t help that my emotions were all over the board.

  “At the time, I thought it was so I could come and get you. I guess he had other plans.” The bitter edge to his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

  “What happened?”

  He didn’t say anything at first. It seemed like he was trying to decide what to tell me. Sighing, he continued staring straight ahead. “I made it to Lille, and Duncan contacted me again to tell me you were injured. We decided it would be better if we took you from Dr. Williams’s office since there wouldn’t be as many people around. When you refused to go─”

  “I refused to leave?” I couldn’t imagine me refusing him anything.

  Samuel glanced over at me. His smile was so tender I couldn’t help blushing.

  “You said that if you left, your friends and family would be in danger.”

  “Oh.” I turned a deeper shade of red.

  “When you refused to leave, Duncan had to drag me out. He tried to shove me in the car, but I wasn’t about to leave you to Thanos. I turned around to head back inside when Lucina and her guards sauntered over. I wasn’t concerned. Duncan and I were more than a match for them. It wasn’t until he blindsided me that I realized it was a trap. All of it was to get me there, to get you there.

  “They took me back to the chateau. Duncan would occasionally come by and let me know what was going on with you.” He paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “After a couple weeks, I managed to escape and you know the rest.”

  I didn’t say anything at first. I knew he’d edited what happened. His pants were filthy, covered in dirt and blood. His shirt had been in even worse shape. I could only imagine the torture he had endured. I wanted to ask him about it, but thought better of it.

  “I’m so sorry.” I realized how weak and inadequate those words were. “If I had known…”

  Samuel looked at me, his eyes burning. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It wasn’t your doing.”

  “Why did Duncan do all of this?”

  Samuel studied me for a moment, probably wondering how much I could handle. “Revenge. Jealousy. Because you preferred me to him.”

  I blushed. A few days, or even a few hours ago, I would have argued that point, but it was useless now. I knew I would never want to be with anyone else. It was strange that I could feel such strong emotions, but the memories that created them were fuzzy at best.

  Still, I had trouble putting the two halves of Duncan together. He had been nothing but a gentleman over the past week. Answering all of my questions and expecting nothing in return. If what Samuel said was true, then he was much more devious and dangerous than I would have thought possible.

  “How long do you think it will be before he comes after us?”

  “Not long, but we should be safe for the night.”

  “Do you think he’ll go after my dad or Tabby?” I swallowed my panic back down.

  Taking a deep breath, Samuel let it slowly escape. “I’m not sure,” he said, sounding
uneasy, as though he might be hiding something more. “I need to talk to Ethan. Regardless, there’s nothing we can do tonight.”

  I sat back in my seat, sighing. I couldn’t shake my uneasy feeling. I kept hearing Duncan’s voice. ‘There are Hunters watching your dad and Tabby. They’re safe.’ All of his assurances had quickly turned to threats in my head.

  Checking In

  Brief moments of conversation were punctuated by long silences. Samuel seemed exhausted. When I suggested that he pull over and let me drive or that we should stop so he could rest, he would change the subject or tell me I should get some sleep.

  After a couple hours, we finally arrived in Paris. Driving through the city was an experience I would have relished under different circumstances. Pulling to a stop in front of a massive building, Samuel put the car in park. I couldn’t see the name of the establishment, but I was pretty sure it was a hotel. Two valets scurried over to offer assistance.

  “I want you to go inside and ask for the concierge. Tell him you’re checking in for Mr. Bram Stoker,” Samuel said.

  “Aren’t you coming in with me?” I asked in sudden panic.

  “I’m hardly dressed for it. Just tell the concierge that I’ll need a change of clothes. They have my measurements on file. I’ll meet you at the side entrance. The concierge will know which one.”

  I was about to object again when my door was pulled open.

  “Welcome,” a young man said, holding the door for me. I offered him a weak smile and a small thank you.

  “Thank you,” Samuel said to the valet. “It will just be the young lady for the moment.”

  He reached past me and slipped something into the valet’s hand, probably the money I had given him just before we arrived. Samuel gave me a reassuring smile before the valet closed the door. Taking a deep breath, I made my way awkwardly up the stairs. Another gentleman held the door for me at the entrance to the lobby.

  As I walked over to the front desk, I had to control the urge to gag. My sense of smell had become much more acute since the infection, at least when it came to humans and Immortals. I’d grown accustomed to the smells of the humans working around the chateau, so their odors didn’t bother me as much. This was my first time being so bombarded by so many different human scents at once. The hotel wasn’t dirty, but the people passing through had all left traces of their scents behind, and the smells most humans had were far from pleasant.

  The young woman behind the counter said something I assumed was a greeting.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t speak French,” I said, feeling embarrassed.

  “Welcome, mademoiselle. What can I help you with this morning?” she asked in a heavy French accent.

  “I need to speak with the concierge.” I bit my lip, wishing Samuel were with me.

  “Certainly, if you will give me one moment.” She smiled but appeared doubtful that I would have any reason for needing to speak to the concierge. She picked up the phone and made a call. I felt like a child standing at the counter. I had never checked into a hotel without an adult. Legally, I was an adult, but I sure didn’t feel like it.

  “Hello, mademoiselle. I am Mr. Bennett. How may I help you this evening? ” the concierge said, silently coming up next to me and nearly sending me into convulsions.

  “Hello. I’m here to check in for Mr. Bram Stoker.”

  I felt silly saying the name out loud. I got the joke, but if I started laughing, they might think I was playing a prank.

  From the concierge’s reaction, he didn’t see the humor. “Oh, yes.” His eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. “When might we expect him?”

  “He’s actually waiting outside at the side entrance. He didn’t feel he was appropriately attired.” I leaned in to whisper the last sentence.

  “I understand.”

  He quickly gave orders to the clerk, who walked away at a fast pace without a word. She returned a few minutes later with the valet and a crisp new shirt, slacks, and shoes. She handed the packages to Mr. Bennett and returned to her position behind the counter.

  “If you will please wait here.” Mr. Bennett turned to leave with the valet.

  “I would prefer to come with you.”

  He appeared reluctant, but I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down. Even if I had to follow him, I wasn’t about to wait in the lobby.

  Mr. Bennett seemed to understand. “Please, follow me.”

  He led the way through a winding maze of corridors. We finally came to a stop outside an office near the kitchen. I breathed a sigh of relief when he opened a door, and I saw the stolen BMW parked just outside. The valet quickly walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door. Samuel climbed out of the car and handed the young man the keys.

  “Hello, Monsieur Stoker,” Mr. Bennett greeted Samuel. I was impressed by his professionalism. He didn’t even react to Samuel’s unkempt appearance and missing shirt.

  “Hello, Mr. Bennett. It’s been a while,” Samuel said.

  Mr. Bennett answered him in French so I couldn’t understand what they were discussing. As the conversation progressed, though, Mr. Bennett became flustered. I wished I knew what they were talking about, but I tried not to let it bother me.

  “I know you’ll be able to handle it,” Samuel said in English, giving the concierge a reassuring smile. “Also, Mademoiselle Stoker should also be given full access to all of my accounts.”

  “I understand. I’m sorry for being so presumptuous .” Mr. Bennett appeared more than a little embarrassed.

  Samuel took the clothes and ducked into the small office to change. After a few minutes, he emerged in his new outfit. I couldn’t help smiling. The clothing fit him perfectly, but I wasn’t sure if I would call it an improvement after seeing him bare-chested.

  “Your usual room has been arranged.” Mr. Bennett took Samuel’s ruined pants and handed him a key card. “Would you like me to show you up?”

  “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. If you wouldn’t mind, have some food sent up and a nice bottle of wine.”

  “Is there anything in particular you would care to eat or a certain vintage?”

  “Surprise us.”

  Samuel led the way back through the winding corridors and out to the lobby. When the young lady behind the counter saw us, I thought her eyes might pop out of her head. I knew how she felt.

  “What did you and Mr. Bennett discuss?” I asked once we were on the elevator.

  “We were discussing the return of the vehicle we borrowed.”

  “Oh.”

  The door opened to a long hallway with rich colors and textures. Walking a little way down, Samuel opened the door to the room. I stood in shock at the threshold as Samuel walked inside. I eventually took a few tentative steps into the suite. The place felt more like a luxury apartment than a hotel suite. Antique furniture added to the old-world charm, but top-of-the-line tech hidden behind the beauty brought it up to date with current travelers’ needs.

  “Do I want to know how much it costs to stay here?” I was scared to touch anything, afraid I might break something.

  Samuel laughed. “I’m going to call Ethan. Would you care to join me?”

  I nodded and turned to follow him through a door to the side of the main living space. The room was a small office that could be converted into a second bedroom. There was a collection of books lining the shelves along one wall. I skimmed over their bindings but could only make out a few names as most of the books were in French.

  “Hello,” a musical voice said through the speaker.

  “Hello, Emma. Is Ethan around?” Samuel asked.

  “Samuel? Where have you been? I’ve been so worried.”

  “I’m sorry. Things got a little… complicated.”

  “I’m here, Samuel. What’s going on?” The deep voice sounded far away. It had to belong to Ethan.

  “Where do I start?” Samuel sat down in the office chair. “Duncan lied. He never had any intention of letting Alina
go. Thanos infected her and kept me as his special guest for the past few weeks. We only barely managed to escape. We’re in─”

  “Wait,” Ethan interrupted. “What do you mean ‘we’?”

  “Alina is here with me.”

  “Hello,” I said timidly.

  “Where are you?” Ethan asked.

  “We’re in Paris. Why?”

  “Something doesn’t feel right. How long do you think it will be before you can get back here to the manor?”

  “That might be a little complicated. I don’t have my passport.”

  Some mumbling on the other end of the line was followed by a long pause. “Do you think you can make it to Calais by morning?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. We’ll meet you at the ferry around eleven.”

  “Be safe,” Emma said before hanging up the phone.

  Silence hung in the air. Fear clawed up the back of my throat as I finally realized the danger we were in. How had things gone so wrong?

  “I shouldn’t have taken you with me,” Samuel whispered. “If I’d just stayed away from you…”

  I felt the shock on my face. “You don’t want me with you?”

  He came around the desk and took my hands in his. “I’ll always want you with me.”

  He ran his hand down my face. My heart picked up its pace at his touch. The ocean blue of his eyes shimmered in the dim light cast by the table lamp. He leaned closer and gently touched his lips to mine. I savored the brief moment of peace.

  “We should probably get that,” he said, pulling away just enough for me to be able to see his face.

  “Get what?”