Death of Night

by Krissy Reynolds

  His hand gripped mine tighter. "One day of this is worth dying for," he said softly.

  I turned my head and looked up at him. I agreed with him. We shared one of those moments where we both understood each other perfectly.

  "Are you ready to go back?" he asked.

  "Sure," I said, but it was a lie.

  Truth was, I wanted to stay here forever. I didn't want to leave this one perfect moment in time and head into the darkness I knew was waiting for me.

  Oh well. C'est la vie.

  Chapter 12

  * * *

  I'd been staring at the same spot on the carpet for the past five minutes. I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from the plush, camel-coloured material. It was tiredness that kept my eyes glued to that spot, though, and not fascination with the almost creamy texture of the carpet.

  I could feel my eyelids begin to droop. Sitting in one of the most comfortable couches I'd been in awhile, dim lighting, and an action-packed night may have contributed a bit to my lethargic state.

  It was Mr. Knightley's couch I was currently falling asleep on. After we had walked back through the garden, he had brought me to a living room, complete with sofas, armchairs, a table, and a television. It differed from the room Ophelia had led me to earlier tonight in that it had a more rustic feel to it. The colours were muted browns and reds, and paintings of the countryside hung on the walls. The first thought I had upon seeing the room was "cozy".

  "Are we feeling tired, sunshine?"

  I was suddenly painfully aware of Liam sitting on the other end of the couch. Callum had asked him to stay here with me while he sorted out some business with Ophelia and the others. I had told him that I'd be fine alone, but he had insisted. He had dazed me with a sincerely concerned look in his eye and softly persuasive words. I'd fallen for it, and now I was stuck with a bothersome vampire. Damn it.

  My eyelids snapped open. I rolled my head to glare at Liam. He flashed startling white teeth at me.

  "Don't tell me you're worn-out because of what big, scary Thanatos did to you," he grinned.

  "Shut up, Liam," I said. "It's not like you did a hell of a lot of good."

  He put a hand to his chest and looked wounded. "I laid down my life for you, Dahlia," he said. "And you never even said 'thank you'." He gave me a prompting look.

  I groaned softly and close my eyes again.

  "Go on," Liam said.

  "What?"

  "Say it."

  If he was going to play with me, then I was going to have my fun too. "Say what?" I asked sweetly.

  "Say 'thank you'."

  "No."

  Liam gave an exasperated huff. "I could've died a second time because of you, and you won't even say a simple 'thank you'."

  "Fine," I gave in.

  He smiled triumphantly.

  I smiled back. "Thank you, Liam, for shoving me into a couch. Thank you for getting thrown into another couch. And thank you for making fun of me afterwards. I'm truly grateful for all that you've done. Really."

  Liam's smile dropped off his face. It reappeared a second later. "That's some quality sarcasm you've got there, sunshine," he said.

  I rolled my eyes and dropped my head against the back of the couch. "Stop calling me that."

  He fell silent for a few moments. I savoured the silence while it lasted. All I could hear was the gentle ticking of the grandfather clock that sat cattycorner at the end of the room. Its predictable rhythm was soothing.

  Liam interrupted the quiet. "So, Mr. Knightley showed you his garden," he said. He sounded jealous.

  "Yep," I answered.

  "Did you like it?"

  "Yes."

  "Did you go past the rose bushes?" he asked slowly.

  "Way past."

  He made a sound of disbelief. I let it go. "What did you see?" he asked skeptically.

  I sighed. "Leave me alone, Liam."

  "Or what?" he challenged me with a smile.

  I thought about it. I remembered the car ride over here and our talk. "Or I'll start saying knock-knock jokes."

  Liam narrowed his eyes, and said in a low voice, "You wouldn't."

  I smiled mischievously. "Oh, yes, I would."

  "Fine," he said.

  "Fine," I said.

  The seconds ticked by on the old clock.

  "What did Mr. Knightley and you talk about?" Liam asked.

  I raised my eyebrows at him. "Knock-knock."

  "Stop it."

  "Oh, come on now," I said cheerfully. "You're supposed to say 'who's there?'. Let's try again."

  "Stop it," Liam growled, chocolate-brown eyes burning with irritation.

  I grinned. "Knock-knock."

  "Stop it, or I'll bite you," he threatened.

  "Ooh, will you now?" I taunted. I immediately regretted saying it.

  Liam snarled, a low rumbling deep inside his chest. My heartbeat quickened as I noticed his canine teeth had elongated and were gleaming in the dull light of the room. He was on the far end of the couch, but somehow seemed to be getting closer. I recoiled into the fold of the soft couch. He smiled sinisterly, licking his lips. "This may hurt," he purred.

  "Thanks for the warning," I muttered, watching him with careful eyes.

  I let out a short scream when Liam pounced. He loomed over me, and all I could see was his red shirt and his glistening fangs. His knees pushed my legs into the couch. One long finger trailed down my cheek. The look in his eyes was purely animal. Bait the vampire, Dahlia. Smart one.

  "Get off me," I spat. My breath was coming in heavy gasps. My stomach was clenched with anticipation and fear.

  Liam lowered his mouth to mine, our lips an inch apart. I held my breath, waiting for something to happen. When he spoke, his lips brushed mine with every word. "I don't think so, sunshine," he murmured.

  The last word sent a shiver done my spine. I raised my hands and pushed against his chest as hard as I could. He didn't budge. No strain showed on his face. It was like trying to move a rock. "Get off of me," I repeated.

  "Yes, Liam, get off of her," Callum's voice came from behind the couch. It was low and tinged with a threat.

  Liam smiled, slow and slippery. His tongue swept over his teeth.

  "Move it, buddy," I said.

  He laughed and kissed me, hard and quick. He was off of me before I knew it, standing beside Callum. "Next time, sunshine," his voice sealed with a promise, "next time you won't be so lucky."

  I made a face at him, fighting the urge to wipe my lips with my sleeve, and stood up as well. My legs were a tad shaky, but I managed to stay upright.

  Callum said, "Leave her alone, Liam. She's been through enough for one night."

  "She started it," Liam retorted, jerking a finger in my direction.

  "Oh, very mature for someone who's immortal," I replied.

  For a second, I thought Liam was either going to explode or stick his tongue out at me. He settled for glaring at me. His eyes were their soft brown, so I knew I was in no immediate danger.

  I looked up at Callum. Our eyes met, and he gave me a small smile. I couldn't help but smile back.

  Without looking away from me, Callum said to Liam, "You can go."

  "Shouldn't I stay to protect you, Mr. Knightley?" Liam asked, jerking his eyes away from me to look at Callum.

  I snorted. Liam's eyes flew back to me. "What?" he sneered.

  I shrugged, and smiled angelically as I said, "Protect? Don't you think that's too strong a word?"

  Liam's eyes widened. "You're really asking for it," he said.

  Callum intervened by saying reasonably, "I think I'll be fine without you, Liam." His eyes were sparkling with laughter, betraying his calm exterior.

  Liam slicked back his dark hair, and then nodded. As he walked past me, he tapped my nose lightly with his index finger and smirked at me. I stood stock-still until I heard the door shut behind him.

  "I think he likes you," Callum said.

  "Please don't make me ride home wit
h him," I pleaded.

  Callum's rich, almost touchable laughter filled the room. "I'm sorry about that. I wanted to send someone you would recognize." He paused, and then asked, "Do you want me to drive you home?"

  "If you don't mind," I replied gratefully.

  "No, I don't mind at all," he said softly. He gestured to the couch behind me. "I know you must be tired, so I will make this as short as possible."

  I tugged the leather jacket down and sat again. Callum sat in the armchair across from me, an arm on each armrest, looking picturesque. His jet-black hair stood out from the forest green of the armchair, and his skin seemed as smooth as stone. I knew for a fact it was, and I just wanted to reach out and touch it. To have all this perfection in front of me was tempting.

  "I didn't plan on you knowing about me when I came to you," Callum started. "I hired you because I wanted to check up on you. I had just left you in that hospital, and I didn't know if you were all right. So I contacted Montgomery Investigations and made an appointment to meet with you."

  "What are you saying?" I asked slowly.

  He looked at me tentatively, and said, "The event we're going to isn't so much a political function but a…a celebration."

  "What kind of celebration?"

  Callum shifted in his seat, mildly uncomfortable. "A birthday celebration."

  A smile spread across my face slowly. I think I was beginning to understand. "Not yours?"

  "Yes, mine."

  His discomfort was most endearing. A faint pink flush had crept up in his cheeks, bringing some colour to that pale skin. My smile turned into a grin. He crossed his arms in front of him and looked at a painting on the wall of a cow.

  "Why do you need a bodyguard at your own birthday party?" I asked. The thought struck me as odd. I wouldn't invite anyone potentially dangerous to my party, and I didn't think Callum would either. It was common sense.

  "I suppose I don't really need one," he replied, eyes flicking back to my face.

  I furrowed my brow. "But you want me to pose as your date anyway?"

  "Not pose."

  I stared at him. All traces of embarrassment were gone from his face. A small curve of his sculpted lips formed when he interpreted my frozen expression. I bit my bottom lip.

  "What's the matter?" Callum sounded concerned. "You don't want to go?"

  I shook my head. My ponytail swung gently behind me. "I do," I said, "but are you really going to pay Montgomery Investigations to take me to your birthday party?"

  "Money is of no concern," he said. He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "All I care about is if you really want to go."

  "Of course I want to go," I said gently.

  "Okay," he said, sounding relieved, "good."

  I scratched my nose. "I wouldn't want to miss birthday number, what is it? Birthday number two hundred ninety—"

  "Two hundred ninety-nine, yes," he finished for me.

  That was hard to imagine with him sitting here looking all of twenty-eight. I couldn't really wrap my mind around the concept of his being almost three hundred years old. "Feeling old yet?" I asked jokingly.

  "Not in the least," Callum smiled. "But give it another couple hundred years and we'll see."

  His eyes betrayed him. I could see the age-old sorrow and weariness with the world. I remembered seeing the same thing the first time I had met him in the Rose Bud Café. It pulled at my heart, tugged at my emotions.

  "Dahlia," Callum's voice sounded distant.

  I had been on the verge of falling asleep right there in the middle of our conversation. I squeezed my eyes shut, blinked a few times, and looked over at Callum. "Sorry."

  A smile was playing at his mouth. He stood. "I'd better get you home," he said.

  Nodding, I stood up and stretched. "What time is it?"

  "Two twenty-eight," he replied, and then added, "I thought you had a watch."

  I grinned sheepishly. "I do. I just wanted to see how good you were."

  "And?" he smiled as well. "How'd I do?"

  I tugged my left sleeve up and looked at my utilitarian black watch. "Hmm, two minutes and five seconds off," I teased. "Lost your touch?"

  "Perhaps," he said, "Or maybe your watch is wrong."

  I laughed. I didn't tell him I had synced my watch just this morning to the radio. However, I think I trusted his sense of time more than the DJ's. After all, he was the one who would burn up if he got so much as a minute off schedule.

  Callum strode over to the door and opened it for me. I walked across the carpet, feet sinking slightly in the soft material. As I passed him, I smelled his delicious scent. It was a blending of jasmine, silk, and Herbal Essences shampoo. It made me dizzy with pleasure.

  A gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned and looked up. I noticed again how tall he was. Callum was about a foot taller than me, so I'd place him at six foot four.

  "You okay?" he asked.

  "I'm fine."

  He led me down the hallway, his head turned to look at me. "Is that your only answer to that question?"

  "Yes," I said. I felt a wee bit bad for being so blunt, but I wasn't accustomed to sharing my problems.

  "Promise me you'd tell me if something was wrong," he said, expression completely serious.

  I hesitated for just a moment. "I promise."

  Callum had heard the hesitation. He stopped me with a hand on my elbow in the middle of the hallway. All he said was my name, but that one word carried more meaning than a hundred. "Dahlia."

  Sucking in a breath, I faced him. "I promise," I said again.

  We stood there in silence for a minute. Callum's eyes bore into mine. He finally nodded, accepting my word that I would tell him the truth whenever he asked that horrid question I loved to avoid.

  "All right," he said heavily. "Are you sure you're okay?"

  "Yes," I sighed, exasperated. "Now promise me you'll only ask that question when it's necessary."

  He smiled down at me. "I promise." No hesitation.

  I stared up into his beautiful face. I couldn't look away.

  "What are you doing?" Callum asked quietly.

  "Counting your eyelashes," I murmured.

  He laughed, amused and pleased. "Come on," he chuckled. "Let's get you home."

  The main lobby was empty when we entered it. The air was cool, that radiating chill that comes from marble floors and big open spaces. We were passing by the staircase when a door opened to the left of us. The teenaged vampire Raven stepped out, closing the door behind her. When she saw us, she froze for a moment, and then walked over to meet us. Her heavy leather boots clunked on the marble.

  "Where are you going, Master?" she asked, her dark eyes roaming over me.

  "I'm taking Dahlia home," he replied.

  She clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Why isn't Liam taking her home?"

  "I don't believe Dahlia enjoys spending excessive amounts of time with him," Callum said, laughter evident in his voice.

  Raven's eyebrows arched skeptically. "That true?" she asked me.

  "He's annoying," I replied bleakly.

  She threw her head back and laughed loudly. "Yeah, he's going to love hearing that."

  "And he almost bit me."

  Her laughter increased. When she could catch a breath, she said, "What'd you do?"

  "He wouldn't stop talking, so I started telling knock-knock jokes."

  Callum gave a surprised laugh. "Is that what you did?"

  Grimacing at the memory of my thoughtlessness, I shrugged, and said, "Well, I didn't know he would attack me."

  Raven harrumphed. Her naturally black eyes glittered like pieces of obsidian in the chandelier's soft light. She leaned close to me, and said in a voice that sent chills down my spine, "That's what you get for playing with vampires, little human."

  I took a wary step back. Keeping my eyes on her, I said hotly, "You sound like Rhiannon." I meant it as an insult.

  A sharp hiss escaped her mouth. Her teeth were gritted a
s she muttered, "I may look sixteen, but I'm eighty years older than you. Show some respect for your elders, or lose that pretty neck of yours."

  "Raven," Callum's voice wove in between us, hot with rising anger. I could almost taste his power.

  Immediately, Raven squared her shoulders and turned to Callum. Her antagonistic expression had completely dropped, replaced now by passivity and submissiveness. "Forgive me, Master," she said, eyes trained on the ground. "I meant no harm."

  I wouldn't have been surprised if she had bowed and curtsied right here and now. I suddenly wondered what era she was originally from to revert back to such manners and polite words.

  Callum raked his gaze over her. "Have you fed tonight, Raven?" he asked.

  "Not yet, Master," was her courteous response.

  He looked at me for a fraction of a second, then back at Raven. "I suggest that you do so soon," he said coolly.

  She inclined her head, bending her knee slightly. A curtsy. Huh.

  The open room echoed with the sound of her boots as she made her way down the corridor Ophelia had led me down earlier. I let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding.

  "Have you?" I asked Callum. My voice bounced around the room.

  He threw me a questioning look. "Have I what?"

  "Fed tonight?"

  "No."

  I crossed my arms, discomfited. "I'm not getting into a car with a hungry vampire."

  The corner of his mouth twitched. "You'd rather have Liam drive you home?" he smiled slyly as he asked. He knew the answer.

  "No," I admitted reluctantly. I unfolded my arms. "Fine, you can drive me. But no funny business."

  He put both hands up. Smiling, he agreed. "Okay, no funny business."

  For a few moments, neither of us said anything. It was a drifting, content silence. Finally, I sighed. "I'm sorry," I said.

  A small frown appeared between his eyes. "For what?"

  "Baiting Raven," I explained. "And, come to think of it, Liam as well."

  The frown smoothed out. It was like watching all the clouds drift away from the sky, leaving only the brilliance of the sun. "As for Liam, I don't think he minded. He was just waiting for an excuse to play with you. And as for Raven, it's not your fault. She's sensitive when it comes to the subject of her sister."