Night's Illusion

by Amanda Ashley

  He was surprised to find a message from Cassie on his phone. “Johnny, I hope you’ll walk me home tonight. We need to talk.”

  We need to talk. Even vampires who’d never had a date knew that nothing good ever followed those words.

  He transported himself to his house, where he showered and dressed. He had hours to kill—bad choice of words, he thought—until Cassie got off work.

  Plenty of time to hunt.

  * * *

  Cassie took a deep breath as she tucked the night’s tips into her coat pocket and walked toward the door. Her stomach knotted with trepidation as she stepped out into the night. Would he be waiting for her? If he really was a vampire, was she making a horrendous mistake in seeing him again?

  “Cassie.” He stepped out of the shadows, silent as a wraith. “I didn’t expect to hear from you.”

  “I had to see you one more time.”

  When she started walking, he fell in beside her. “You could have told me good-bye over the phone.”

  “I know. But the thing is”—she shook her head—“I wanted to see you.”

  “Oh?”

  “I have to know if what you told me is true.”

  “Why would I lie about such a thing?”

  “I don’t know.” Hands clenched at her sides, she took a deep breath, then blurted, “If it’s true, I want you to show me.”

  “Show you what?”

  “What you are. What do you think?”

  “Ah.”

  “Will you?”

  He huffed a sigh of resignation. “If you’re sure that’s what you want,” he muttered, “although you may not like what you see.”

  They walked the rest of the way in silence. Cassie’s heart was racing by the time they reached her apartment. Had she made a fatal mistake in asking him to prove what he was? What if his true appearance was hidden under some kind of paranormal glamour? What if he really looked like a corpse? What if the only way to prove he was a vampire was to drink from her?

  Inside her apartment, she took off her coat and tossed it over the back of the sofa, then sat down, hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Okay,” she said. “Show me.”

  At first, she didn’t see anything. Then, gradually, his eyes turned from hazel to red and a change came over him. It was nothing physical, as far as she could see, and yet he was different. Invisible power radiated from him and she realized that she was truly in the presence of something supernatural. The knowledge raised the hair at her nape and made her stomach clench involuntarily.

  And then he let her see his fangs. Smaller than she would have thought yet very white. And very sharp.

  So, it was true. Shouldn’t she be afraid? Repulsed? Horrified? Why wasn’t she?

  “Satisfied?” he asked. And even his voice sounded different. Deeper, more menacing.

  She stared at him, too stunned to speak.

  A moment later, he was Johnny again, his eyes the same warm hazel, his fangs gone, along with the aura of invincible power that had surrounded him. The transformation had been frightening and yet oddly fascinating. Fascinating? She frowned. What was wrong with her? She should be terrified. Revolted. In fear for her life. Was something wrong with her? Was she missing some sense of self-preservation?

  “I’ll go now,” he said. “Take care of yourself.”

  “Wait! Johnny, wait. I don’t want you to go. I . . . I don’t care what you are.”

  He stared at her in disbelief. Did she know what she was saying? What she was getting into? “Cassie . . .”

  “I know what I want.” Taking his hand, she tugged him down beside her. “And I want you. You’re the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. So, you’re a vampire. You don’t act like the ones in the movies that go around ripping out people’s throats. Besides,” she said, stifling a grin, “no relationship is perfect.”

  He shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. And then, emboldened by her declaration, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lightly, tenderly.

  Cassie tensed for a moment and then she leaned into him, her eyelids fluttering down as she slid her arms around his waist. His lips were cool and firm and magical, filling her with a warm sense of belonging that she had never known before—and never wanted to be without again. All her life she’d felt alone, unwanted, and unloved. Until this moment.

  Lifting his head, Johnny murmured, “I hope I’m not dreaming,” and kissed her again.

  When they parted, both a little breathless, Cassie said, “Do vampires dream?”

  “I never have. I don’t know about any of the others.”

  Others. The thought brought her up short. Of course, if there was one, there were bound to be others. It was a sobering realization. One supernatural creature didn’t seem like much of a threat, but what if there were dozens? Hundreds?

  “You must have questions,” he said.

  She made a soft sound of assent. “Do you like being a vampire?”

  He thought it over for a moment and then nodded. “I didn’t, at first. It was hard, giving up everything I knew. But, in time, I made peace with what I am. I’ve been lucky to be part of a family.”

  Cassie frowned. “Vampires have families?”

  “Of a sort. A few of those I know have had children. Others have adopted them. And they have generously included me in their circle.”

  “Wait! I thought vampires couldn’t reproduce. At least, they can’t in the movies.”

  “They can’t in real life, either.”

  “Okay, now I’m confused. You just said some of them had kids.”

  “It’s complicated. One of the men, Vince, had been recently turned when he married Cara. Apparently he had enough humanity left in him to father twins.”

  “Wow, that’s weird.”

  “And it’s never been done before or since, as far as I know.”

  “So, the couples are married?”

  He laughed softly. “Yes. And I was blessed to unite each one in holy wedlock and bless their children.”

  “Vampires marrying vampires,” she murmured. “And having babies. Who’d have thought?”

  “Well, in each case, the women were human in the beginning.”

  “So . . .” Her gaze searched his. “What does that mean, exactly?”

  “It means that the mortals eventually became vampires.”

  “Did they want to?” she asked, a note of skepticism in her voice.

  “Sometimes.”

  She digested that a moment. Why would anyone choose to be a creature of the night? And what of those who hadn’t wanted it? “Those who didn’t choose it . . . Was it forced on them?” Would Johnny do that to her?

  “No,” he said, and then paused. That wasn’t entirely true. “Sometimes the women were turned because it was the only way to save their lives.”

  “Would you . . . you wouldn’t . . . ?”

  His gaze slid away from hers. How was he to answer that?

  “Johnny?”

  “I honestly don’t know what I’d do if turning you was the only way to save your life.”

  “Promise me you won’t ever do that.”

  “Cassie, please don’t ask that of me.”

  “Promise me!”

  “All right. I promise.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. Vampire or not, he was also a priest. Surely she could trust him to keep his word.

  “Being a vampire does have its compensations,” he said. “We never get sick or age. We have a great deal of strength. We are nearly immortal. One of the family members I mentioned was alive during the time of Cleopatra.”

  “Wow! That’s unbelievable.”

  “But true. Her name is Mara. She is the head of the family and a remarkable woman.”

  “Enough about vampires,” Cassie said, a twinkle in her eyes. “Wouldn’t you like to kiss me again?”

  * * *

  Giovanni felt as if he was walking on air when he left Cassie’s house an hour later. She knew the truth and she still wanted
to be with him. They had kissed and cuddled on the sofa like a couple of randy teenagers. Any doubts he’d had about his libido had been laid to rest. It was a miracle. Lifting his face toward heaven, he murmured a silent prayer of gratitude. And then he frowned. What if she didn’t mean anything she’d said? Knowing what he was, why would she want to be with him? Maybe she’d been afraid to rebuff him to his face. And yet, her kisses had seemed genuine. But how was he to know? He’d only kissed one other woman in his life and that had been centuries ago. He shook his head. Tomorrow would tell the tale, one way or the other.

  Giovanni was nearing his lair when he felt a jolt, as if someone had just hit him with a live wire. He glanced around when a near-forgotten scent teased his nostrils. His sire. Alric. Drawing on his preternatural power, Giovanni looked around again but saw no one.

  Giovanni.

  The sound of his master’s voice raised the hairs on his arms.

  He froze as the vampire who had turned him stepped out of the shadows.

  His sire looked just as Giovanni remembered him—tall and muscular, with cropped black hair and piercing black eyes.

  Alric cocked his head to the side as his gaze moved over the fledgling he had not seen in centuries. “No clerical collar,” he said, lifting one hand to his own throat. “Have you given up your calling and your faith?”

  Giovanni shook his head.

  “You’re looking well.”

  “No thanks to you,” Giovanni replied, all the old anger and bitterness rising up within him. “You deserted me.”

  Alric lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. “I was detained.”

  Giovanni grunted. “For thirteen hundred years? What do you want?”

  “What makes you think I want something?”

  “Why else would you be here?”

  “Maybe I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Giovanni snorted. “You’re a few centuries too late for that. Or did you get detained again?”

  “I don’t owe you an explanation,” Alric retorted. “I would remind you that I am the one who made you. As your sire, you have no recourse but to do as I wish.” As if to prove it, he unleashed his preternatural power.

  It burned through Giovanni’s veins like molten fire, the pain so intense that it drove him to his knees.

  “I do want something,” Alric said. “I want to know Mara’s whereabouts.”

  Giovanni stared up at his sire, then slowly shook his head. “Do with me what you will. I won’t betray her.”

  He had no sooner spoken the words than he felt an increase in his master’s power as Alric sought to take control of his mind. Giovanni summoned his own power in an effort to block him, but Alric was his sire and resistance seemed futile.

  The pain of resisting had grown almost unbearable when Giovanni felt another presence in his mind—one he recognized immediately. Mara. He didn’t know what she’d done but suddenly Alric released him and vanished into the night, and Giovanni heard Mara’s voice in his head: You’re welcome.

  Bewildered by what had just happened and Alric’s abrupt disappearance, Giovanni made his way home. When he turned on the lights, he discovered he had an unexpected guest waiting in his living room. Mara.

  “What happened back there?” he asked. “How did you do that?”

  She looked at him as if he wasn’t too bright. “Have you learned nothing these past centuries?”

  “Apparently not. Alric is ancient. Why can’t he find you? And how did you get him out of my head?”

  Looking impatient, she perched on the sofa, long legs crossed at the ankles.

  Giovanni sat on the love seat across from her, one brow raised as he waited for her to explain.

  “I am the oldest of our kind,” she said. “As such, my power is stronger than yours. Stronger than his. No one can find me if I do not want to be found, whereas I can usually locate anyone I wish.”

  “Don’t you need to have taken their blood for that?”

  “No. That just makes it easier.”

  I’ve been a vampire hundreds of years, he thought. And I’m still learning about my kind. “If you can so easily overpower his mind, how is it that he thinks he can destroy you?”

  “He’s letting his desire for vengeance override his good sense, if he ever had any to begin with. He’s no threat to me. But if Alric persists in trying to find me, I’ll gladly meet him. Tell Alric that if you see him again.”

  “Are you really indestructible?”

  “No one is,” Mara said, her expression sobering. “The things that will destroy you will destroy me, as well. None of us can survive beheading, or fire, or a stake through the heart. As for you, Giovanni, you are stronger than you think. I know you have never had occasion to exert the full extent of your powers. Alric may be older than you are. But you, my friend, you have something he does not.” She leaned forward to tap her finger against his chest. “You have my blood in your veins. Next time he threatens you, remember that.” She rose with fluid grace. “One more thing. The bond between you and Alric is old and weak. If you do not wish him to find you, I can sever the link between you.”

  He stared at her in disbelief.

  “You doubt me?”

  He started to reply, but let out a groan instead as he felt her power inside his mind. It was painful yet oddly pleasurable at the same time, as was her bite.

  Lifting her head, she licked a bit of his blood from her lips. “That should do it.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “‘Thank you’ will do. Oh, one other thing. You won’t be able to find him, either.”

  Giovanni grunted softly. He hadn’t thought of that, but it was too late now. Then again, he couldn’t think of a single reason why he would ever want to.

  “How are you and your little female getting along?” Mara asked.

  “Don’t you know?”

  “I try not to eavesdrop on you too often.”

  “Thanks,” he said dryly.

  “And she does not mind what you are?”

  “She doesn’t seem to,” Giovanni said, grinning. “I think . . . I think I’m falling in love with her.”

  “She must be something special, indeed.”

  “She is. I told you I’d find my own woman,” he said, smugly.

  “So you did,” she admitted. “Well, I wish you the best. You are the most decent man I’ve ever known,” she said, eyes twinkling. “And I’ve known quite a few. Good night.”

  “Give my best to Logan.”

  Mara kissed him on the cheek and then she vanished from the room.

  Giovanni blew out a sigh. Definitely the most remarkable woman he had ever met.

  * * *

  Logan smiled as Mara appeared on the sofa beside him. “So,” he drawled, “what was the emergency that had you flying out of here like a bat out of hell?”

  “Giovanni’s sire is in town, looking for me. When Giovanni refused to give him my whereabouts, Alric threatened him. I couldn’t allow that vile creature to harm my priest, could I?”

  “Of course not,” Logan said with a wry grin.

  “He’s found a woman.”

  Logan grinned at her. “I told you he didn’t need your help.”

  “Be nice,” she warned, “or you’ll be looking for a woman.”

  “No way,” he growled, wrapping his arms around her. “You’re the only woman in the world for me.”

  Laughing softly, she nipped his ear. “I wonder who we’ll find to perform the ceremony if Giovanni marries his little mortal?” she murmured.

  “He found a woman on his own. I’m sure he can find a priest,” Logan said, drawing her down on the sofa beside him. “Stop worrying about Lanzoni and worry about me. I’ve got an ache only you can cure.”

  “Tell me where it hurts, baby,” she purred, raking her nails down his chest. “And Mama will make it better.”

  Chapter 13

  Alric returned to the abandoned warehouse he had been using for his lair.
He had known Mara was strong. Every vampire in existence knew her reputation, knew she was the oldest, most powerful one of their kind on Earth, yet he’d still been stunned by her ability to interfere when she wasn’t even present. How the hell had she done that? And how was he going to defeat her if she could thwart him from a distance?

  Perhaps he would have to find another way to avenge Calidora’s death. There were people Mara cared for. Vampires all, yes, with preternatural powers of one degree or another. Nick Desanto, believed to be almost two thousand years old, and Logan Blackwood, a vampire for over nine centuries, were two of the oldest. Both had been turned by Mara and, as such, possessed much of her strength. But some of the recently turned mates were vulnerable.

  There was only one flaw in his plan—he didn’t know where to find any of them.

  Two flaws, Alric amended, because he was pretty sure his fledgling wouldn’t be a damn bit of help. Ungrateful wretch. Lanzoni would be moldering in his grave if not for him. He should have drained the man dry when he’d had the chance. But no, Alric thought irritably. He’d hesitated to kill a priest, an error in judgment he wouldn’t make again.

  Alric was about to summon Giovanni for another little chat when he felt a searing pain in his mind. Letting out a shriek, he dropped to his knees as the link between himself and his fledgling dissolved. “Mara!”

  He hissed an oath as the pain receded. Damned interfering female. She was even more of a threat than he’d thought.

  He snorted as he gained his feet. He was nothing if not resourceful. In today’s world, with computers and search engines, even the Queen of the Vampires couldn’t hide forever. Although he didn’t know how the hell he’d destroy her if and when he found her, but what the hell. One thing at a time.

  Chapter 14

  For Cassie, the next few weeks were the best of her life. Johnny walked her home every night after work. On her evenings off, they went to the movies, or for walks in the park, or dancing. And after every evening out, they spent an hour or two in her apartment, curled up on her lumpy old sofa getting to know each other better—in more ways than one.

  Tonight was one of those nights. Wrapped in his arms, she felt warm and safe and loved.