Tall, Dark & Fangsome

by Michelle Rowen

I handed off the phone to Amy so she could assure George of her current happy, healthy, still slightly buzzed status.

  Thierry touched my arm. “You’re upset.”

  “It’s been a hell of a night.” I swallowed. “Like, literally.”

  He nodded. “He’s gone.”

  “I know.”

  He was quiet for a moment, then he led me away from everyone else so we could speak in private. “Were you in love with him?”

  I licked my dry lips. “No. But, I cared for him. Parts of him.”

  Thierry raised an eyebrow. “Which parts?”

  “You know what I mean. He was right about one thing he told me. Everyone has both good and bad in them. But actions speak louder than words. So, yeah, I did care for him despite who he was. But I love you.”

  He smiled. “I can accept that.”

  I frowned. “Aren’t you in pain with that hole in your chest.”

  “I am a fast healer. But,” he cringed, “it is unpleasant.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He leaned over to brush his lips against mine. “We can work around it.”

  “That sounds very promising.” I leaned back. “And what about the Red Devil?”

  He looked down at the mask he’d discarded earlier. “I think I’ve hidden behind masks for far too long. If I’m going to try to make any changes in the world, from now on I’ll do it without any secret identities.”

  “It’s a deal.” I hooked my arm through his. “But, seriously. The next time I ask you to kill me, I want you to do it, okay?”

  “I promise. Next time I definitely will.”

  “You’re still lying.”

  He looked down at me with those silver eyes. “You know me.”

  “A little. But I’m very willing to learn more.”

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  Chapter 23

  Five Days Later

  Do you, Janelle Parker, take Michael Quinn as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish until death do you part?”

  Janie, who was wearing a gorgeous white cocktail dress, smiled so widely I thought her face might actually split in half. “I do. And then some.”

  The justice of the peace turned to Quinn. “Do you, Michael Quinn, take Janelle Parker as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish until death do you part?”

  “Hell, yeah.” He cleared his throat and grinned. “I mean, I do.”

  “Then, with the power vested in me by the province of Ontario, I pronounce you husband and wife. Quinn, you may kiss your bride.”

  And he did. With gusto.

  I didn’t think tongue was appropriate for the occasion, but that was just my opinion.

  Even with the porn-star kiss I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. They looked so happy and glowing.

  Two vampire hunters turned vampires about to begin eternity together.

  I’d have thrown rice or confetti if that act didn’t come with a fine. Instead, we blew bubbles as the bride and groom left City Hall.

  Everyone was there… well, everyone who counted. Me and Thierry. Barry and Amy. George and his date, Jeremy the human resources guy, who had been my potential blind date hook-up only last week. I guess they did have chemistry after all, because George looked happier than I’d seen him in… well, ever, really. Even Janie’s sister Angela and her boyfriend—one of my ex-bodyguards—Lenny had flown up from Florida for the ceremony and dinner at the 300 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower.

  It still looked like a stake to me.

  Veronique had returned to Europe the day before yesterday. After everything that had happened, and despite some ill feelings toward her that still lingered for me, I’d decided to forgive her. She couldn’t help who she was. At the end of the day, I do think there was more good than bad in her. Everybody’s entitled to forgiveness for a few bad choices they make in their lives. Before she left, she made a point to find me, kiss me on both of my cheeks, and wish me and “her husband” well for the future.

  “Hey.” I ran my hand down Thierry’s arm. “I was wondering if I could get my ring back now that we don’t have to hide the fact that we’re together anymore. Are you still carrying it in your pocket?”

  He shook his head. “That won’t be possible, I’m afraid.”

  He’d always promised that he’d give me back the eternity band—my promise ring from him—when everything was okay again. I opened my mouth to say something, to question him on what he meant, but before I could Quinn and Janie came over to us.

  Thierry shook Quinn’s hand firmly. “Congratulations to you. I mean that.”

  “Thanks.” Quinn gave him a half-smile. “I know we’ve had our difficulties. I know I gave you a hard time in the beginning—”

  “Hunters typically give vampires a hard time.”

  Quinn snorted at that. “That’s an understatement if ever I’ve heard one. But… if it hadn’t been for you,” he looked at me, “for you both… I… I wouldn’t be here. Like, at all. I would be dead and buried. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to embrace my second chance at life. And I wouldn’t have connected with Janie.”

  “Fate,” I said with a smile.

  “You believe in that? Fate?”

  I chewed my bottom lip. “Not always, but it sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?”

  “It does.” Quinn gave me a very strong hug that actually lifted me off the ground. “Thank you, Sarah. For everything.”

  My throat felt thick with emotion. “You’re very welcome. Janie’s very lucky to have you. I hope she knows that.”

  When he released me, Janie eyed me, but it wasn’t with jealousy anymore. “I am lucky, no question about it. Wow, I’d do the group hug thing but I’m so not into that.”

  “No problem.”

  She grinned. “Glad I didn’t have to kill you, after all.”

  “You and me both.”

  Amy ran over to us. “Sarah, want me to order you any appetizers at the restaurant? We’re heading over now.”

  “Can’t eat,” I said. “Solid food and me don’t get along anymore, remember?”

  She frowned. “Why do I always forget that? Sorry! I don’t mean to rub it in.”

  “Not a problem. I’ve totally made my peace with it, really. But I’d love a Tequila Sunrise.”

  “Sure thing.” She ran back over to join her husband, who nodded curtly at me. Ah, Barry. We’d never be buddies, but we’d definitely come to an understanding. Since Amy came away from the Gideon experience relatively unfazed, he didn’t overtly hate me anymore. Baby steps.

  “Weddings make me think about the future,” George said.

  Yeah, him and me both. “I know.”

  “Now that you’re a business owner, do you think you might be paying me rent any time soon? Since I’m still unemployed, I’m kind of strapped for cash. Twenty bucks and a few dimes is enough of a wedding gift, right?”

  Gideon hadn’t been kidding. He’d really bought Darkside for me—the papers were in my name and everything was legal. I’d considered selling it, but changed my mind. I’d been a waitress and a bartender, so there was no reason I couldn’t be an owner/operator/waitress/bartender.

  Plus, it was a piece of Gideon. An odd thing to hold on to, I know, but thanks to Gideon Chase, there’d still be a place in the city vamps could go to have some fun until other clubs got back on their feet again. It was a strange tribute to the hard-to-forget leader of the vampire hunters.

  I grimaced. “I’m sorry, George. I know I’ve been a mooch. But I appreciate your patience. And I thought you were going to work for me at the club?”

  His eyebrows raised. “There has not yet been a formal offer of employment.”

  “Consider this formal. You can be my manager.”

  He gave me a big hug. “I totally accept. And when it comes to our current living arrangements… well, maybe it’s finally time for you to shack up with tall, dark, and fangsome over there. As far as I’m concerned, it’s way overdu
e.”

  I glanced over at Thierry. “We’ll have to see about that.”

  The fact that Mr. Fangsome wasn’t giving me back my promise ring was a sign any shacking up might not be in the cards. But I tried not to think about it for the moment. Today was all about Janie and Quinn and the eternity that had just begun for them.

  Everyone began leaving for the restaurant in two separate cabs, but Thierry held me back. “I wanted a chance to speak with you privately first.”

  My stomach clenched. “That sounds very ominous.”

  He held his hand out to me. “Walk with me.”

  If I’d known we were going to be doing any power walking I would not have worn these heels, but I could handle it for a little while. I took his hand and walked with him over to Nathan Phillips Square near the outdoor skating rink.

  Here it goes, I thought. He was going to break up with me. Officially. It was over. I’d kept telling him that I was trouble and a burden. After everything we’d been through over the last few months, he’d obviously decided I was right.

  Maybe he wanted to see other people.

  That was it.

  Hell, if Veronique didn’t care if he dated other women… vampire chicks or even humans… then why wouldn’t he want to?

  He obviously wanted to make up for lost time. About six hundred years’ worth.

  It was okay. Really. I could handle it. I wouldn’t demean myself and cry when he ended things. I was an independent vampiress. I owned my own business now, even though I’d come by it in a very unusual way. I planned to throw all of my energy into keeping Darkside—to be renamed The Chase—open so vamps in the city would have a place to hang out and relax and enjoy themselves and maybe do a little dancing. I’d land on my feet. I was all about the girl power.

  Men… meh… who needed them?

  “So why can’t I have the ring back?” I asked simply. Calm. Collected. Totally mature.

  “Because I don’t have it anymore,” he said simply.

  “Oh.” I frowned.

  “Besides, it was only a small piece of metal with some tiny diamonds on it—meaningless, really.”

  “Meaningless, huh?” I felt my cheeks heat with anger. Maybe I wasn’t all that calm and collected after all.

  A smile tugged at his lips. “You are upset over this. Why?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not upset. I’m perfectly fine.”

  “I didn’t think that something like a ring would mean anything to you. After all, you agreed to be with me even knowing about Veronique, knowing that she has been my wife for a very long time. Even after she refused to agree to the annulment, you still wished to be with me. Has that changed?”

  “Of course not.” I blinked. “I love you. A stupid piece of paper doesn’t change anything.”

  “It doesn’t?”

  “No.”

  He crossed his arms. “Then I guess it won’t matter to you to learn that before she left Veronique did consent to sign the annulment papers after all. The fact that you were able to see past my mask when she was not made her realize how deep your feelings for me are, and in return how deep mine are for you.”

  I stared at him. “Uh… what did you just say?”

  “Which part would you like me to repeat?”

  “Veronique signed the annulment?”

  “She did.”

  “Holy crap.”

  “Indeed.” He looked amused by my reaction. “I was as surprised as you. But as self-involved as she might seem on the surface, Veronique is a romantic. She experienced true love herself a long time ago and that has stayed with her. She knows that I want to be with you, and since there is no chance at a reconciliation between us, she did what she knew was right and finally freed me from our vows.”

  This I didn’t expect. I never would have thought, after everything that had happened, that Veronique would sign. But she did? She signed the annulment. She and Thierry were no longer married.

  I was officially no longer the other woman!

  I smiled at him and reached down to take his hand in mine. “Then I totally understand the ring thing.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. After six hundred years, give or take, you’re finally a bachelor again. Why would you want to get tied down so quickly? We can date, if you want to. Maybe even go to the movies some time. I haven’t done that in ages.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “You want to date me?”

  “Sure. I mean, it’s not exactly the perfect fairy-tale ending I’d always dreamed of, but I’m totally okay with that. Honestly, Thierry, after everything we’ve been through, just to have you in my life is good enough. Hell, just not getting killed and being a normal, everyday vampire is happy ending enough for me. You’re just a total bonus.”

  “Is that so?”

  I nodded firmly. “Definitely. And no promise rings need apply. One day at a time is the way I like to think. I don’t need any kind of ring to make me happy—”

  “What about this ring?” he asked.

  I looked down. He had opened a black velvet ring box and inside sat some serious bling. A three-carat, princess-cut solitaire diamond ring.

  My mouth fell open. “What is that?”

  He smiled. “What does it look like?”

  I raised wide eyes to his. “About forty thousand bucks is what it looks like.”

  “Give or take.” His lips twitched with amusement. “Now, it’s not the ring I gave you before. I decided if I was going to replace that one then I should replace it with something worthy.”

  I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say, which is what speechless meant, of course. I opened my mouth but no sound came out.

  “I love you.” Thierry swallowed hard and squeezed my hand tightly in his. “You make every day special and worth living for me. Veronique has finally freed me. But I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be a bachelor. I want to be with you. I know it hasn’t been very long at all since we met, and our road has not been an easy one, but I know you are the true love I’ve waited my entire existence to find—and I’ve waited damn well long enough. Will you spend eternity with me, Sarah?”

  I licked my dry lips and my damp eyeballs shot up to his, my heart drumming wildly in my chest.

  His smile widened at my stricken expression. “I’m asking you to marry me.”

  I still couldn’t find enough air to breathe. I felt faint and woozy.

  His expression flickered from happiness to one of doubt the longer he waited for me to say something. His smile faded and a deep frown creased his brow. “Perhaps I should have waited. I… I shouldn’t have sprung this on you, today of all days. I will give you more time. I apologize for my enthusiasm. Let’s go on to see Quinn and Janie at the restaurant.”

  “No, Thierry,” I began.

  “No,” he repeated, the sound of the word heavy on his tongue. “Then I have my answer. I understand.”

  A smile burst free on my face. “I meant no, you weren’t wrong.”

  He eyed me warily. “I wasn’t?”

  I shook my head. “You took me by surprise, that’s all. I didn’t expect this.”

  His Adam’s apple shifted as he swallowed hard. “I went about this all wrong.”

  “Ask me again,” I said.

  “Ask you—” His frown deepened.

  “Yes.”

  “Marry me,” he said after a moment, raising his silver-eyed gaze to mine.

  “Yes,” I said quickly this time, my heart overflowing with happiness. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  He smiled wide enough for me to see his fangs. “Yes?”

  I nodded enthusiastically.

  “That is the answer I was hoping for,” he said.

  The ring box fell to the ground and he slipped the most gorgeous ring I’d ever seen in my entire life on my finger. Then he took my face in his hands and pressed his mouth against mine in a knee-weakening kiss that made Janie and Quinn’s nuptial one look chaste in comparison.

  And
you know what? I still meant it. A piece of paper didn’t mean a damn thing, not when we’re talking about eternity. I would have stayed with him with or without any promises of a future together. With or without a sparkly ring that fit perfectly and looked gorgeous on my hand. I loved Thierry without all of those things, there was no doubt in my mind.

  But it sure didn’t hurt.

  Being a vampire would never be easy. I knew that. I couldn’t eat solid food. I needed to drink blood, although from now on it would only come out of shiny silver kegs courtesy of well-paid donors. I didn’t have a reflection unless I used an expensive shard mirror. Hunters would always be a problem; there would always be people who wanted to destroy what they didn’t understand.

  But there were a whole lot of good things, too.

  I had great friends. The man I was crazy in love with loved me back—and hello? We were officially engaged. What more could a vampire gal like me ask for?

  The future was as bright and sparkly as the ring I now wore. A long, happy future. Take away the wooden stakes, the vampire hunters, or even long walks off short bridges—and vampires were immortal.

  Immortality might not bite, after all.

  It was very good to know.

  THE DISH

  Where authors give you the inside scoop!

  From the desk of Susan Kearney

  Dear Reader,

  I came up with my idea for LUCAN (on sale now), the first book in the Pendragon Legacy Trilogy, in the usual way. A time machine landed in my backyard early one morning, and I forgot all about sleeping in—especially after a hunky alien sauntered right up to my back porch and knocked.

  Scrambling from bed, I yanked on a cami and jeans, stashed a tape recorder in my back pocket and ran my fingers through my hair. Like any working writer worth her publisher’s advance, I was willing to forego sleep for the sake of research.

  I yanked open the back door.

  Did I mention the guy was hot? No way would I have guessed he was an archeologist back from a mission to a planet named Pendragon. But I’m getting ahead of myself. From his squared jaw to the intelligent gleam in his eyes to his ripped chest, Lucan was all macho male.

  And for the next few hours he was all mine.