by Terry Spear
“That’s what you like about me. I won’t give in.”
He smiled. “You’re right.”
His fangs extended as his eyes darkened. This time no matter how much she tried to wrench herself free, she couldn’t break loose.
Screams downstairs met her ears, and Nicolai took a ragged breath. “The hunter comes for you, but he won’t save you this time. As soon as I kill him, I’ll take you far from here. No one will ever find you again.”
Robert. For an instant, she had hope. And then despair as Nicolai sank his teeth into her neck. The pain streaked through her body like a bolt of forked lightning. She screamed out. Tears filled her eyes as she choked back the torture. She’d lost the game, and the overwhelming feeling of defeat sapped any bit of energy she had remaining. Or was it Nicolai’s draining her of blood that weakened her so?
It didn’t matter. She was a dead huntress, one way or the other. Normal huntresses could never live with bite marks…so they’d assume if she had them, she was one of the vampires.
Robert rushed into the room. His eyes grew big as his jaw tightened with the sight of Nicolai at her throat. Both she and Robert had lost. She quit struggling as any control she had over her body slipped away from her.
Robert charged Nicolai with his sword drawn.
He was too angry, too distracted to kill an ancient vampire. She had to end Nicolai’s life instead. And then beg Robert to kill her.
Nicolai withdrew his fangs from her neck and released her hands. Before he could kill Robert, she gathered what little strength remained and dove in front of the bloodsucker. She thrust her wrist knife into his chest, penetrating the heart. He screamed out and struck her so hard, she fell against the wall like a rag doll tossed away by an angry child.
Robert jammed his sword into Nicolai’s heart, the vampire already collapsing to his knees and wizening before their eyes. Robert pulled his blade out and struck again. It didn’t matter that Crystal had already killed Nicolai. Robert couldn’t control his built-up rage.
Nicolai’s skin grew decimated within seconds, and his lifeless body disintegrated on the floor.
Robert dropped his sword and lifted Crystal off the carpet.
“You have to kill me, Robert.” Tears streaked down her face. She couldn’t help the emotions that welled up inside her. But she was too weak to kill herself.
50
Robert’s brothers rushed into Nicolai’s bedroom. Oh God, it was too late. She didn’t want them to see her like this, to know their family had been right all along.
Robert motioned to his sword. “Get it for me, will you.” His words were full of anguish, harsh and concerned.
Then he carried her into the hall and down the stairs. Mark rushed past him to protect him.
Crystal pleaded with him, “No, no, Robert. Kill me and leave me with the rest of them.”
Robert shook his head, his face hard and determined. “Nobody knows what’ll happen.” He kissed her cheek, then hurried her outside. “But it doesn’t matter, Crystal. Mark’s right. You’ve hooked me, and I won’t let you go, ever.”
She gripped his shirt. “You can’t have me…not like this.”
Through blurry eyes she saw Boniface and Victor rushing toward them.
“Did he get her?” Boniface asked.
Robert swore under his breath. “She’s my concern. Get out of my path.”
Both her brothers looked at her with creases wrinkling their foreheads in worry.
“Sure, Robert. She’s yours,” Boniface said, surprising the hell out of her.
She stretched her hand out to Victor. He was the most sensible one of her twin brothers. “End it now, Victor. Robert won’t do it. But he’s wrong. He can’t do it, but we both know it has to be done.”
Victor looked at her with soulful regret, but wouldn’t make a move to save her.
“Take her away from here,” Boniface said. “Our family will get rid of the rest of them in the area. Once she’s gone, that’ll be the end of it.”
“Boniface,” she begged.
He shook his head. She attempted to use her own knife on herself, but Mark and Samuel grabbed her wrists and removed the blades.
Robert set her in his car, then fastened her seatbelt. “Samuel, you’re driving?”
Mark handed Robert his sword. “I’ll ride shotgun with Thomas.”
Boniface and Victor shook the men’s hands, then Victor first, and Boniface next, leaned into the car and kissed Crystal’s cheeks.
“Take good care of her,” Boniface said with one last look, then he and Victor returned to the house.
She couldn’t believe they’d leave her to live like this. What the hell was the matter with them? They’d promised they’d kill her if she was ever infected. They’d promised!
“We have a long drive ahead of us.” Robert climbed into the car and wrapped his arm around Crystal, encouraging her to rest her head in his lap. “A long ride.”
She tried to reach for Robert’s sword, but he stilled her hands. Then the darkness of the car turned light. She could see his concerned face as clearly as if a light switch had just been turned on. His dark eyes studied her, his brows knit together with concern. But then the image of him blurred. She felt as though she fell headlong into a cavernous tunnel, down into the bottomless pit, darker than the deepest ocean trench, and finally into nothingness.
When Crystal woke in a large floral-covered bed, muffled voices sounded somewhere nearby. The room was warm and scented with the subtle fragrance of lavender. She took a deep breath of the heavenly scent, then climbed out of bed, feeling much refreshed. A South American tune played in the background. The sensuous lilting flutes and drums intrigued her. But when she tried to cross the floor, she stumbled, her legs weaker than she realized.
She approached a mirror resting above an antique Queen Anne dresser and stared at her appearance.
Her blond hair was disheveled, and her makeup gone. But her eyes were still a vivid blue and her skin still had color. Her gaze rested on the bite mark on her neck, two puncture wounds, slightly raised and discolored. She touched the neckline of the white silky nightgown someone had dressed her in.
A feminine gasp sounded behind her, and Crystal turned too fast. She grew dizzy and grabbed the chest of drawers to steady herself before she blacked out.
The woman’s dark eyes widened. She was dark-haired like Robert, but streaks of gray made her appear older. Maybe an aunt? The woman opened her mouth to speak, but then probably thinking better of it, she spun around and exited the bedroom.
Before Crystal reached the bed, Robert and his brothers barged into the room. She covered herself modestly. Tenderly, he picked her up and laid her back on the mattress. “You’re supposed to rest. How are you feeling?”
“A little wobbly.”
“That’s to be expected. You…lost a bit of blood.”
That was putting it rather mildly. “Where am I?”
He pulled the covers to her chin and sat next to her on the bed. “At my Uncle Walter’s home in Oklahoma City. We’ve let your brothers know that you’re safe here.”
She groaned. “Why didn’t you do what you were supposed to do to me?”
“You haven’t been turned, Crystal. We’ve found that out now.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “How do you know? I mean, I’m not angry enough at you. What if you make me really mad and here come those wicked canines of mine?”
Mark chuckled.
She scowled at him, then faced Robert. “Or what if we’re getting it on hot and heavy, and they extend then?”
His brothers grinned back at her. Wanting desperately to feel secure with Robert’s family, she fought the hope that crept into her system.
“You’re not changed, Crystal. Sorry. If you want to bite me, go right ahead. I can take it. But for now, Aunt Mildred is fetching your breakfast.”
“Your family can’t want me here.”
“I can’t deny there’s been a split in the
family over it. But since Uncle Walter’s the head of the family, he said you’re staying. And that’s that. He says any huntress that can avenge his niece’s death, is worth having in the family.”
“I want to get dressed.”
“You’re staying in bed.”
She folded her arms. “Don’t think you can boss me around just because Nicolai got the best of me.”
He grinned. “He didn’t get the best of you, believe me.”
Thomas tapped Mark on the shoulder. “Time for you to leave. Conversation’s getting a little too hot for your ears.”
Mark stood his ground. “I’m not leaving until the rest of you do this time. And quit treating me like I’m underage. Damn it. I’m twenty-two for…” He paused as their aunt returned with a tray of fruit, eggs, toast, and bacon.
This would be the ultimate test. If Crystal couldn’t stomach the food, she was one of the vampires. The smell of bacon and delicate scent of sweet apples, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon drifted to her. Her stomach grumbled. So far so good.
Everyone watched her as if they wanted to make sure she was all right, too. “Thank you for the breakfast.”
“Call me Aunt Mildred, dear. And actually it’s well past dinnertime, but I figured this was the quickest meal I could prepare.”
“Thank you.” Crystal buttered a piece of toast, then slathered on a coating of blackberry jam. She looked up at her audience. “Has everyone eaten already?”
Robert said, “Yes, two hours ago.”
“You all don’t need to be in here watching me like this.” She lifted the toast to her lips. She bit into it and smiled. “Hmm, homemade blackberry jam, sweet and tangy. Tastes delicious.”
Robert patted her free hand. “Yeah, Aunt Mildred makes us pick blackberries after they’re ripe in the field.”
Crystal smiled. “To keep you boys out of trouble.” She took another bite of her toast. “This is very good.” And for the first time, she truly had hope she hadn’t changed in the least.
Robert looked back at his family. “Maybe she can come downstairs and visit with us in a little while.”
Thomas nodded. “We’ll see you in a bit.”
Robert’s brothers and their aunt left.
“I’m still being tested, aren’t I?” Crystal asked as she sipped from a glass of orange juice.
Robert shook his head. “No.”
“If I couldn’t handle the food, you’d have known I was turned.”
“True, but really, you’re fine, Crystal.”
She took a deep breath, then poked her fork into the bacon. “You’ve done a blood test on me.”
“Nope.”
“How can you be so sure then?”
“It’s been two days since we brought you here, and twice you walked in your sleep. Mark found you sitting on the porch in the noonday sun the first time, enjoy the sunny breeze.”
She frowned and touched the lace trim on her nightgown. “Dressed like this?”
He smiled. “Mark closed his eyes and brought you back to your room.”
She groaned. “Yeah, right. And the tooth fairy visits, too. What of the other time?”
“Samuel found you in the same place the next day, around the same time. Thomas said it was his turn next.”
“Jeez, Robert. Why didn’t you just tie me to the bed?”
“I did that once, remember? And you hurt yourself.”
She ran her hand over his. “Are you sure it’s really all right for me to stay here with your family?”
He leaned over and kissed her lips. When he pulled away, she followed his mouth and kissed him again. He chuckled. He took the tray off her lap and set it on the bedside table. “You seemed to eat pretty well. Did you want anything else?”
She tugged at his shirt.
He chuckled. “Our resident doctor in the family said you had to rest. Though our healing powers will ensure you get better more quickly than humans, Nicolai’s bite took a lot out of you.”
“Are you afraid to make love to me?”
He laughed again. “Yes. Until you’re better.”
She examined his clothes. “Is that a hint of garlic in your pocket?”
He nodded.
She studied his black turtleneck and jeans. “Are you taking care of business?” He didn’t say anything, and she glanced out the window at the setting sun.
She pulled her covers aside, and his gaze shifted to her bare legs. “What is there for me to wear? I’m going with you.”
He covered her back up. “Oh, no you don’t. You’ve only now awakened. And women in my family don’t hunt, remember?”
51
“I’ll sit in the car when you go on the hunt. I can’t stay here, Robert. I’m not good at sitting still.” Crystal yanked her covers aside, and before he could stop her, she climbed out of bed.
“This is not a good idea, Crystal. My uncle and half the family say you will stay and…” But he didn’t finish his words.
She pinned him with a glare. “And what, Robert?”
He let out his breath in a heavy sigh. “You can’t go, Crystal, and that’s that.” His face darkened, and he motioned to the bed again. “Stay. I can’t chance losing you.”
She bounced into the bed in a huff. Hadn’t he learned anything about her? He could order her about all he wanted, but she had a mind of her own. He pulled the comforter back over her, then kissed her cheek. “I’ll come by to check on you later.”
Neither a vampire nor a hunter would ever control her.
With one last hug, he left her alone in the room, and it nearly killed her to remain in the bed.
When the sun disappeared from the sky, Crystal left the bed and sifted through one of the drawers in a mahogany chest. There, she found a black shirt with a low-scoop neckline. She yanked off her nightgown and pulled the shirt over her head. In the closet, she found her jeans, freshly washed, and her western boots. After dressing, she pulled her hair back in a pearl hairband.
She returned to the drawers and searched for weapons. In the top one, she found her wrist knives. But no sign of the cane anywhere.
She peered outside. Thomas’s SUV and Robert’s convertible sat in the circular drive of the two-story house.
She hurried out of the room, glad to see no one about. Then she heard voices in a room downstairs. She slipped down the stairs like a cat burglar on the prowl. When she reached the room, she leaned against the wall and listened.
“When are you going to make us proud, Robert?” Aunt Mildred asked.
“She already carries our child.”
Crystal’s mind whirled in surprise.
“What about the hunting?” a deep male voice asked.
“I need to discuss this rationally with her further. Crystal has just arrived and needs to feel part of the family first.”
“You have explained to her that as a huntress she’s not permitted to hunt?”
“Yes, Uncle Walter.”
“And?”
“She’s a huntress from a family where the huntresses hunt. But I can convince her to stay home.”
Crystal raised her brows. Really.
“And tonight you’re going to…?”
“First Street,” Thomas said. “Yorovitch’s cousin Malovan has been terrorizing the community down there. He’s taken underage girls and turned them, which is unheard of even for rogue vampires.”
“All right. Stick together and we’ll see you when you get back,” Uncle Walter said.
“Did you give Crystal enough of the sedative?” Thomas asked.
Aunt Mildred replied, “If she ate all of her eggs.”
Robert cleared his throat. “I didn’t pay attention. She ate all of the toast and bacon.”
“I put some in her orange juice, too.”
Damn. Crystal rubbed her forehead. She’d kill Robert. How could he have his family drug her to…to well, to keep her under control? Though a part of her realized he wanted to keep her safe. She placed her hand protectively on h
er belly. Her baby. And Robert’s. God, how she loved him. But would her baby share her screwy genetics? If so, she would not be kept in the dark. And she would be treated with respect, not as an oddity.
Crystal hurried outside to the SUV, feeling foggy-headed. If she slipped into the last seat, no one would even know she was there. As long as nobody used the very back seat.
After she climbed inside, she lay still for what seemed like hours, drifting off, then groggily coming to when she heard the men’s voices as they walked to the vehicles. The front two doors of the SUV opened, and the overhead light came on, then the doors shut. The light shut off, and the men clicked their seatbelts closed.
Samuel coughed. “You know, Robert thinks he’s got the situation under control with Crystal, but I believe he’s got another thing coming.”
Damn right. She folded her arms and scowled.
“Yeah,” Thomas said. “I wish I had his kind of trouble though.”
Samuel laughed.
When Crystal woke, the effects of the sedative still hadn’t fully worn off. Her thoughts fuzzed a bit when she stared out the vehicle’s window. The SUV had parked in front of a two-story, white colonial. Robert’s convertible sat behind the SUV. No one was anywhere in sight. Ten more vehicles were parked curbside. Big party. Robert and her brothers would need her help for certain.
She left the car and sauntered toward the house. She didn’t feel as energetic as she usually did. Her feet seemed to take baby steps instead of her normally quick-paced stride. And sometimes the house tilted on its side. Though there were no outside lights, the whole yard looked like it was washed in sunlight.
She kept thinking there was something else she needed to do. But she wasn’t sure what. All she knew was she had to help Robert and his family. She owed it to them for taking her in. Still, her mind fogged a bit.
As she approached the door, it opened for her. Who was she after this time? She wasn’t certain.
Several men and women stared at her as she walked into the living area. All were dressed in black and several sipped glasses of blood red wine. Where were Robert and his brothers?