Forever Black (Nightwalkers 2)

by H. N. Sieverding

  Leaving in a private plane was so much easier than trying to escape on her own. As they rose, she felt a great relief. Finally, she was free of this place.

  * * * *

  After a few days, her fangs disappeared. It was something that left her disappointed but relieved at the same time. Caleb had a break in his touring schedule and soon would be taking an even longer one to start work on his next album.

  They were now back in Kingston, and Ashleigh was playing video games with Caleb and Kris downstairs. They were having a lot of fun chasing each other through the fictional building and trying to kill one another. Kris was a pro at the game and had the highest score, Caleb coming in second.

  "Hey!" Ashleigh's face was scrunched up. There was anger in her voice as she gave Caleb a firm shove, "That's not fair! I was unarmed!"

  "No mercy, babe." Caleb laughed, but didn't turn to her as he continued to pursue Kris. He was trying to avoid the proximity mines Kris had laid out around the floor.

  "I…" Holding her head, Ashleigh suddenly felt dizzy. "Caleb." She grabbed his arm as she swallowed hard. "I'm gonna—" Her eyes quickly rolled back in her head, and she passed out.

  "Shit." Caleb quickly caught her, shaking her as he tried to rouse her. "Ash, wake up."

  "Is she okay?" Kris paused the game and peered over at them curiously. He grabbed the beer near him. He took a long drink from it as he watched.

  "Ash." Caleb continued to shake her, but she wasn’t responding. Letting out an annoyed sigh, he quickly put his wrist to his mouth and bit down on it. He then held it to Ashleigh’s lips.

  "What are you doing, man?"

  At the taste of his blood, Ashleigh quickly latched onto him. She grabbed onto his arm like she were drowning, and he was her float.

  "Whoa." Kris laughed as he pointed to Ashleigh. "What's with her? We just ate a little bit ago."

  "I don't know." Caleb's eyes narrowed on Ashleigh as her grip loosened, and she slowly stopped drinking from him. "Maybe she's—"

  "I'm…sorry," Ashleigh interrupted. She gazed up at him sheepishly as she pulled away. She licked her lips as her world came back into focus.

  "It's all right." Caleb laughed as he shook her shoulder. "It's not your fault."

  "Oh!" She quickly grabbed some napkins on the table near the box of pizza. She quickly put them to Caleb's wrist. "Let me help you with that."

  "Did this happen when you were in Krest, too?" Caleb studied her suspiciously as he held the napkins in place.

  "No." Ashleigh shook her head. "I don't understand what's going on. That was—"

  "I have a guess." Caleb was sitting on the edge of the couch, his eyes still narrowed on her.

  "She's pregnant," Kris spoke in a casual tone as he turned back to the game.

  "What?" Ashleigh shot Kris an angry look. "I am not." When she saw Caleb's eyebrows raise, she spoke quicker. There was fear in her voice, "Caleb? Why are you looking at me like that?"

  Caleb let out a small grunt as he sighed. He gazed down at his knees as he patted his perfect Mohawk with a light hand.

  "Caleb?" Ashleigh shook his arm, and finally, he turned to her. "What's wrong?"

  "You weren't hungry, but you needed vampire blood." Caleb's concern melted, his brow lowering as he sent her a nasty glare. "That means you’re pregnant. Damn it." Covering his eyes, Caleb's elbows rested on his knees. "Fuck."

  Kris glanced at them briefly. "Ouch…"

  She stood, suddenly angry. "Why is that so bad?" She balled her fists at her sides and glared at Caleb, who was sulking.

  "Because…" Kris answered, a sour expression on his face. "It's not Caleb's."

  "Why wouldn't it be?" Ashleigh's voice wavered, and she was on the verge of tears. She spoke with her hands. "Unless I was mysteriously impregnated, then it's Caleb's."

  "Have you been drinking vampire blood?" Kris bounced the controller on his knee. He glanced at Caleb then back at her. "’Cause if you were, it could still be Caleb's."

  "Actually, I have."

  "Huh?" Caleb quickly turned to her.

  "Well…" Ashleigh rubbed her arm nervously as she tried to avoid Caleb's eyes. "I've been drinking the Count's blood."

  "What?" Caleb's jaw dropped as he stared at her in disbelief. Soon, that expression was replaced by repulsion. "You've been drinking his blood? Why?"

  Putting her hands up in surrender, Ashleigh tried to find a way to cease his anger. "It's not what you think. He'd let me drink his blood sometimes, but that was it, I swear. I wanted to keep my fangs, and he—"

  "You had fangs?" Kris had picked up a piece of pizza. His mouth was full, and the rest of the piece dangled from his fingers. "That's hot."

  "Caleb." Ashleigh ignored Kris. Her hands quickly took Caleb's as she sat next to him. "Do you really think I could be pregnant?"

  Caleb glanced down for a second before looking back up at her. He studied her fragile expression then conjured up a smile. "If what you've said is true, then sure…we're having a baby."

  "This is what we wanted before everything got bad. It'll be okay."

  "So…" Caleb's face filled with a large grin, one that had a hint of school boy charm mixed with bad boy sexiness. He gripped her hands tighter, his nails painted black and chipping slightly at the edges. "Does this mean we can get married now?"

  "Sure." She nodded quickly. "Let's do it like we planned. When everything's straightened out, we're gonna elope."

  "Beach wedding?" Caleb bit his lip as his brow lowered over his icy eyes.

  "Just me…" She wrapped her arms around Caleb's neck. Her voice deepened as she gazed into his eyes, "And you."

  "And me." Kris chimed as he raised his hand. He was playing the game again, this time starting over in single player mode.

  "I can't wait." Caleb rested his nose against Ashleigh's. "I love you."

  She swung her leg over his and took a seat on his lap. "I love you, too."

  They kissed, Caleb's hands going up the back of her shirt and rubbing her bare back. Well they were busy making out, Charlotte and her husband, Sam, came into the room.

  Charlotte's voice was loud as she glanced at Caleb and Ashleigh then over to Kris, "Hey."

  "Ready for practice guys?" Sam looked over at Caleb, who was shooing Sam away with his hand as he continued to kiss Ashleigh.

  "Ash is pregnant." Kris didn’t look up from the screen.

  "Hey!" Ashleigh quickly pulled away from Caleb and glared at Kris. "Why'd you say that?"

  "I gotta go to practice, babe." Caleb placed a few swats on her ass. A tired sigh escaped his lips as he laid back lazily.

  "Fine." Ashleigh got off his lap.

  "You're pregnant?" Charlotte sat down next to Ashleigh, setting her bag on the floor.

  "Caleb thinks so." Ashleigh watched Caleb get up from the couch. "I'm not sure, though."

  "Well, we're going to find out now, aren't we?" Charlotte giggled as she took Ashleigh's hands in hers.

  Chapter Ten

  Ashleigh was indeed pregnant, but because her periods had almost come to a stop since becoming a vampire, they had no way of knowing how far along she was. The doctor guessed it was a month, but there was no way of being sure. She didn't worry for one second that it could be the Count's because she believed their relationship had been innocent.

  Ashleigh and Caleb now entered their house, laughing and joking around. That is, until they were met with a few angry faces.

  "Caleb." Standing up, Lucas' voice was stern as he straightened his suit jacket. He then glanced over at Ashleigh, who immediately clung to Caleb's arm. "You’re in a lot of trouble."

  Caleb immediately snapped at his father, taking on a defensive tone, "For what?" He pulled away from Ashleigh and took a few steps toward his father. His chest puffed out a bit as he spoke angrily with his hands. "I didn't do anything. Why the hell are all you here, anyway?" He motioned toward the door. "Get the fuck out of my house before I call the cops."

  "Caleb." Lucas stood between Cale
b and the others. "We need to take Ashleigh back to Krest."

  Caleb angrily pointed a finger at his father. "You need to get the fuck out of my house."

  "Listen to me—"

  "Call the cops, Ash." Caleb didn’t look back at her. His eyes were focused on his father and the other Council members.

  "Caleb." Ashleigh glanced briefly at her mother then placed a hand on Caleb's shoulder. "Calm down."

  "I won't fucking calm down. I want these people out of my house."

  "I won't go back to Krest," Ashleigh's voice was soft. "Caleb and I are—"

  "No." Caleb held up his arm and didn't let Ashleigh step ahead of him. "Don't waste your words on these narrow-minded idiots. They don't care about us."

  "Master Mason?" Robert was standing near the doorway, watching the situation unfold. His voice as calm. "Do you wish for me to be of assistance?"

  "Yes." Caleb was still glaring at his father. He was toe-to-toe with Lucas, who was more massive than the fit and trim Caleb. But Caleb wasn’t intimidated by the strong, elder vampire. "Get the Council out of my house."

  "Of course, master." Robert nodded then walked over to the group. His large presence commanded everyone's attention. "Please leave." He motioned toward the doorway gracefully. "You are trespassing."

  "Robert." Lucas pointed to the door, his arm rigid. "I order you to step down."

  "You are not my master." Robert's voice was monotone, his tall frame having a few inches over Lucas. "And I will not take orders from you."

  Ashleigh's voice was stressed, "Stop this." She held Caleb from behind, her arms wrapping around his waist. "There's no need to fight about me. I'm not going back."

  Caleb glanced back at her. "Ash, I'll take care of it. Just—"

  "It's okay, Caleb. Let me talk to them."

  "Okay." Caleb nodded then glanced back at Robert. "It's okay, Robert." Motioning with his finger, he called Robert back. "Let's see if we can talk this out." Ashleigh let go of his waist and stood at his side. He let out an annoyed sigh and placed his arm around her shoulders.

  "Listen to me." Ashleigh's arm slipped around Caleb's waist. Her voice gained strength as she pulled him closer to her. "Caleb and I are having a baby." She ignored the gasps from the Council and continued, "So, I'm not going back to Krest."

  Lucas' voice was low, "Caleb?" His concerned eyes turned to his son's hardened expression. "Is—"

  "She's not going anywhere." There was great intent in Caleb's eyes. He rubbed his cheek against her dark hair. They both looked like scared kids, afraid to let go because they knew they would be ripped apart. "I'm not going to let some Count take my family away from me. This isn't right, and you all know it. Stop letting him push you around, and stand up for once. And if not, stand the fuck back, and I'll do it alone."

  "He's right, Lucas." Catherine stood up. Her fist was balled as she gazed at Caleb and Ashleigh then back at her husband. "We can't let them—"

  "Sit, Catherine." Lucas pointed to the couch. He only partially turned his head to her. His voice was stern, "This is none of your concern."

  "But Caleb…" Catherine pointed to her son. Her eyes streamed with tears as a pleading tone filled out her thickening voice, "He's our son. This is his family. Please, Lucas…"

  "I said…" Lucas turned angrily to Catherine. He once again pointed to the couch. "Sit, Catherine."

  Catherine quickly turned away. Her upper lip stiffened as she wiped her tears. She obeyed her husband and sat down.

  "I don't care about the Count." Ashleigh glanced toward Anthony. Her glare was identical to his. "I only care about my happiness. I love Caleb, and he's the one I promised to marry. The one I want to be with. I won't let some stupid prophecy take everything that's important away from me. I just won't. I'm staying with Caleb."

  "Lucas," Anthony's voice was low as he motioned for Lucas to sit down. "Please allow me to take over this meeting."

  "Yes, Master Vessling." Lucas nodded and quickly sat next to his wife.

  "This is a private matter," Anthony addressed the others. "I will speak to Caleb, so the rest of you may leave. It is not necessary for all of us to remain. Master Bristol, please escort the rest of the councilmembers to their cars."

  "Yes, Master Vessling." Master Bristol rose to his feet. He motioned for the rest of them to do so as well, one being his son, Aiden.

  The Council slowly filtered out of the room, glaring in Caleb's direction as they left. Robert was standing near the doorway, ensuring their departure. Instead of leaving with the others, Ashleigh’s mother stayed behind.

  Aiden stopped near Caleb. "Don't get your hopes up. I will make sure Ashleigh is returned to Krest."

  Caleb released Ashleigh and made a dash toward Aiden. He got in a few well-executed swings, and a heated fight erupted. Ever since he was a kid, Caleb was a known scrapper. He had Aiden on the floor in seconds.

  "Caleb!" Lucas yanked on Caleb's shirt, forcing him to his feet. "Now's not the time to fight!"

  Caleb screamed at Aiden as he watched him rise slowly to his feet, "Fuck you!" Caleb tried to get loose from his father’s grip. "Come back and say that to my face, you little bitch! I'll bust your fucking teeth!"

  Aiden snickered as he wiped at the blood dripping down his chin. "Good night, Ashleigh." He nodded to Ashleigh and ignored Caleb's rage.

  "Aiden!" Master Bristol glared at his son from the doorway. "Out to the car. Now." Aiden quickly obeyed his father.

  Anthony allowed a few seconds for Caleb to settle down before speaking. "Caleb…" Anthony pointed to the couch. "Please sit, so we can talk."

  Caleb looked cautiously over at Anthony. "We'll talk, but I don't trust you."

  "Fine. Then, stay there." Anthony’s stare then narrowed on Lucas. "You have absolutely no control over your son. What kind of father are you, letting him act in such a barbaric manner?"

  "How would you know anything about being a father?" Lucas glared at Anthony as his voice rose, "You have never been one."

  Ashleigh's voice broke up the fight, "You really are my father, aren't you?" She glared at Anthony and then her mother. Marion tried to send Ashleigh a smile, but her daughter’s gaze quickly went to her father.

  “Yes.” Anthony sent Marion an icy glare that made her take a step back. “And I’m sorry, Ashleigh.” There was genuine hurt in his voice, something Ashleigh could see was sincere. “I promise you. If I had known, I never would’ve abandoned you. You’re my blood. I would’ve fought for you.”

  Wiping at her nose roughly, Ashleigh’s stare settled on Anthony. Her voice was very soft, “You would’ve?”

  “Of course.” Anthony again sent a glare in Marion’s direction. “Never would I have abandoned you. I feel cheated out of so much. All those years we lost, all your milestones I missed. All those things that as a father I should’ve—no, I would’ve been present for. If you hadn’t come here, I would’ve went through life never knowing I had a daughter. That hurts, it makes me angry, and I’m very sorry that I haven’t been able to be a father to you.

  “By not telling me about you, Marion has hurt me deeper than anyone has. In her spite, she has stripped me of one of the greatest gifts I have been given in this life. My child. My son, your brother, died when he was very young. And now, you’ll never get to meet him. You’ve been cheated out of so much, much more than I can ever make up for. But I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it. I know it’s not much, but…”

  His voice softened as he saw Ashleigh cling to Caleb. She was shaking and seemed to be barely able to support herself. “It’s all I can give. I am a man of my word, and hopefully, a man worthy of someday being called your father.”

  Ashleigh nodded her head, but didn’t look in his direction.

  “Thank you.” Anthony smiled, but it was soon replaced by a deep frown. “I’m very sorry for what happened to your father. That must have been a horrible thing for you to go through. If I…” Letting out a defeated sigh, Anthony seemed to be holdi
ng back tears. He took a small pause before speaking again. “I’m so very sorry.”

  “Yes.” Her mother’s voice was soft. “And…” Her eyes gazed downward as she rang a handkerchief around in her hands nervously. “I’m sorry, too. All I wanted was to help. I didn’t mean for Mark to—“

  The next words slipped from Ashleigh’s lips like liquid venom as she took a step away from Caleb. “Help? Nothing you have ever done has helped.” Ashleigh paused, her finger raised in the air. “This is all your fault. Everything. I will never forgive you for ruining my life. You…” Her voice rose to a yell. “Killed my father! Because you were a whore and broke his heart!”

  She spoke in frantic hand motions, tears streaming down her cheeks. She jabbed the air with her finger as she pointed to Anthony. “He didn’t know about me, so I can’t blame him. But you—you were my mother! I loved you! And when I needed you the most, you left me.” With a tight fist, she gently beat on her chest. “Instead of coming to see me, you sent Gramps a letter saying you didn’t want me. That you never wanted anything to do with me.”

  “I tried to—”

  “You lie. You never tried.” Ashleigh spoke through gritted teeth, her lips trembling with each shaky exhale. “I could read. I saw the letter.”

  “Ashleigh, I’m sorry.” Marion was sobbing, but none of the people present were taking pity on her. “I—”

  “Did you read Dad’s letter?” Ashleigh’s voice softened as she spoke of her father. Swallowing back her tears, her eyes desperately searched her mother’s. “You didn’t, did you?”

  “How could I?” Marion dabbed her handkerchief on her cheek, the fancy lace soaking up her tears. “It was a suicide note. It—”

  Ashleigh burst into tears, which that quickly stole her voice. Then, she clung to Caleb, holding him tight as he rubbed her back consolingly.

  “The one thing she asked you to do…” Caleb’s voice was soft as he held his sobbing love in his arms. “You wouldn’t.”

  “You know nothing about me and my daughter.” Marion’s lip curled as she glared at Caleb. “If it weren’t for you, she would never be in this situation. I would’ve saved her.”