Everlasting Embrace

by Amanda Ashley

  Alex scrubbed a hand over his jaw. Those were powers he’d known about from being a hunter. But now the shoe was on the other foot, so to speak.

  Costain’s head snapped up. “I smell prey. Come on.”

  Prey, Alex thought, and wondered if the day would come when he no longer thought of humans as anything but a means to ease his thirst.

  CHAPTER 14

  Rylee sat in front of her computer, unable to concentrate on the paperwork at hand. A week had passed since that dreadful night when she had learned that vampires were real. It had changed her life dramatically. She had taken to sleeping with a light on, made sure to be home before dark, kept her curtains drawn and the doors and windows closed and locked day and night.

  Being unable to work after dark was cutting into her profits, since she’d had to turn down several evening weddings and a twenty-fifth anniversary party at Huntington Beach.

  The headline in the morning paper had screamed “Bodies Found Drained of Blood in L.A.” Once, she would have scoffed at such stories, certain the morbid headlines were merely a ploy to tease viewers and increase ratings. But no more. Vampires were no longer a myth, but a stark, terrifying reality. She had seen them with her own eyes.

  She remembered fainting when that scary blond vampire had fed Alex his blood. Had Alex survived the night? If so, he would be one of the Undead now. Were the two of them responsible for the reported deaths in the city? She couldn’t imagine Alex doing such a thing, but she had no trouble believing the other one capable of it. No trouble at all.

  Alex. She sighed as she saved her latest additions to QuickBooks. She missed him dreadfully. It hurt, knowing he was forever lost to her now. She told herself it shouldn’t matter. They had only seen each other a few times. She hardly knew him.

  But her heart ached just the same.

  Feeling trapped in Costain’s apartment, Alex paced the living room floor back and forth. Back and forth. Rhys had forbidden him to go out alone, but he thought he might go mad if he had to spend one more night cooped up in this place with nothing to do.

  He didn’t know where Costain had gone or when he planned to return. His master’s parting words had been, Stay put until I get here. And that had been hours ago.

  Alex swore under his breath. He missed his old life. Missed being awake during the day, able to come and go as he pleased. He told himself he was hungry for his favorite foods, but that was a lie. He loved the taste of blood. The idea sickened him even as thinking about it aroused his thirst.

  He missed Rylee. Her smile. The sound of her laughter. The way she made anything seem possible. He had felt a sense of peace when he was with her. A week since he’d seen her and every day worse than the last.

  As much as he longed to see her again, he knew Costain was right. He was no fit company for anyone right now, not even himself.

  He swore again. He had to get out of here. Somewhere quiet that didn’t smell like vampire.

  Almost before he realized what he was doing, he found himself at the beach where he had first met Rylee. He didn’t know what surprised him more, the fact that he had actually transported himself across the miles, or the fact that Rylee was there, asleep on a blanket.

  For a moment, he just stood there, drinking in the sight of her and thinking how much he missed her. And then he frowned. What the hell was she doing out here alone, after dark?

  “Rylee,” he called softly. “Rylee, wake up.” When she didn’t stir, he bent down and gently shook her shoulder. “Rylee.”

  Rylee woke with a start, then jackknifed into a sitting position. The shiver that ran down her spine had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the man standing beside her.. The image of the blond vampire dribbling blood into Alex’s mouth flashed before her eyes. He was one of them now. Undead. She sensed the change in him, that same not-quite-human vibe she had felt from the other two vampires.

  She didn’t waste time screaming or asking questions.

  Scrambling to her feet, Rylee turned and ran down the beach as fast as her legs could carry her. And all the while, the word vampire whispered in the back of her mind.

  She risked a glance behind her, but he wasn’t there. Light-headed with relief, she kept running. Until she slammed into something unyielding.

  Rylee did scream then, or at least tried to. Fear trapped the cry in the back of her throat and she could only stand there, trembling in Alex’s arms. Arms that felt like solid steel, yet held her lightly, until she tried to wriggle free and found there was no escape.

  “It’s all right, I’m not going to hurt you,” Alex said quietly. And hoped it was true.

  “Then let me go!” Her voice came out in a breathless rush.

  “Later.”

  She stared up at him, her eyes wide. “How did you find me?”

  “I wasn’t looking for you, at least not consciously.”

  “Please,” she said, speaking slowly and distinctly, as if he were some wild animal who needed soothing. “Just let me go.”

  “You’re not going to run away again, are you? There’s not much point in it, since you can’t outrun me.”

  “Then I won’t run.”

  He looked at her dubiously, but let her go.

  It took all the willpower Rylee possessed not to bolt. But he was right, there was no way she could hope to outrun him. Hadn’t he just proved that? “So, what now?”

  “I don’t know,” he murmured, with a rueful shake of his head. “This is all new to me. And scary as hell, believe it or not.”

  “Oh, I believe it.” Her gaze slid away from his. “Well, goodnight.”

  “Rylee, please, don’t go. I swear I won’t hurt you,” he said again. It wouldn’t be easy, keeping his hands off of her. A shift in the breeze carried her scent to his nostrils. He heard the blood flowing warm and sweet through her veins, the rapid beating of her heart, the scent of fear that danced over her skin. He clenched his hands at his sides to keep from reaching for her. “Will you sit with me for a few minutes?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  Alex frowned as he recalled how Costain had mesmerized the young couple. Did he have that same power? Could he impose his will on Rylee, make her do whatever he wanted? Concentrating, he reached out with his mind, felt his thoughts brush hers, and knew he could easily bend her will to his. It was a heady, frightening sensation and he immediately backed off. What the hell was he thinking? Did he want to force her to stay with him? Did he want to be alone?

  He knew what Rhys would do, but what would Daisy do? Once he asked himself that question, the answer was easy. Taking a step back, he said, “I won’t force you to stay if you really want to go.”

  Rylee stared at him. Strange, she thought, but now that the choice was hers, she didn’t want to leave. Hoping she wasn’t making a huge, perhaps fatal, mistake, she sat on a nearby deadfall.

  Alex gestured at the place beside her. “May I?”

  “I guess so.” She hadn’t quite wrapped her mind around the fact that he was a vampire hunter and now he was a vampire. It was unbelievable.

  Moving slowly so as not to startle her, he sat down, though he left a good distance between them. “You shouldn’t be out here alone, after dark.”

  “I know. I fell asleep.”

  “You’re lucky I’m the one who found you.”

  “Yes,” she murmured, although she didn’t feel lucky. Only frightened. And sad.

  Now that she was willing to abide his company, Alex didn’t know what to say.

  Only a few feet separated them, but it might as well have been the Pacific Ocean, he thought bleakly. Because they were leagues apart.

  “That horrible woman,” Rylee said, “She was the mate of that vampire you killed, wasn’t she?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And the man who rescued us? He’s a friend of yours?”

  “His name’s Rhys Costain. I guess you could say we’re friends. He’s the Master of the West Coast Vampires.”

 
“What does that mean?”

  “Mainly that he’s very old and very powerful. The master vampires here in the United States have divided the country into territories, with each one ruling a particular area.”

  Rylee shuddered. The thought of more creatures like Costain was a frightening possibility to contemplate. “Sounds like the Mafia.”

  “Yeah, in a way. Vampires are territorial creatures. Very jealous of their hunting grounds. The ones who live here have all sworn allegiance to Rhys. In return, he protects them.”

  “And now you’re one of them?”

  Alex shrugged. “He’s not just the Master of the West Coast. He’s my master now.” Seeing the question in her eyes, he said, “When a vampire turns a human, he becomes their sire—their master. He’s supposed to teach them what they need to know to survive.”

  She nodded. “So, he’s like your boss?”

  “You could say that.” Alex frowned. He hadn’t really thought about the implications of that until now. Costain would be his master for as long as the two of them lived. Only Costain’s death—or his own—could free him.

  “What are you going to do now?”

  Gazing out at the ocean, he murmured, “I don’t know.” All he knew was hunting. Of course, his physical needs were few these days. His future expenses, save for clothes and a secure place to spend the day, would be negligent. He no longer needed health or dental insurance. His grocery bills would be non-existent except for an occasional bottle of wine.

  Fighting the urge to reach out to him, Rylee folded her hands in her lap. “I’m so sorry, Alex.” Pity welled within her when he turned to face her. He looked so lost and alone, his eyes haunted. “What about your family? Will they stand by you?”

  “Yeah. My sister, Daisy, is a vampire. She’s married to the one who turned her.” He laughed bitterly. “You wouldn’t think a family of hunters would have so many blood-suckers.”

  Not knowing what to say, Rylee gathered her courage and reached for his hand.

  Alex stared at her fingers, entwined with his, and wondered how she could bear to touch him. “I guess you just never know what life has in store for you.”

  “Is it awful, being what you are?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t been one long enough to find out. I always thought vampires were monsters until my sister became one. It didn’t really change her. She’s still the same, sweet kid she always was.”

  “Do you feel different?”

  Alex frowned as he considered her question. Different? Sure, he felt different, but he didn’t feel like a monster. He slid a glance at Rylee. Her blood called to him. His instincts urged him to pull her into his embrace and take what he so desperately needed. Wanted.

  Afraid of hurting her, he eased his hand from hers and gained his feet.

  “Alex?”

  He gazed down at her, wondering what she wanted. And then he remembered he hadn’t answered her question. Shrugging, he said, “To tell you the truth, I don’t know how the hell I feel. I guess only time will tell.”

  “Yes,” she murmured. “Time.”

  The wind shifted, carrying her scent to him again. He stared at the pulse throbbing in the hollow of her throat, closed his eyes as he listened to the siren call of her heartbeat.

  With a strangled cry, he turned and ran down the beach, his feet pounding the sand as he fled the almost overpowering urge to bury his fangs in her slender throat and never let her go.

  Rylee huffed a sigh of regret, certain she’d seen the last of him, even though it was probably for the best. He was a vampire now, no longer human, even though he looked the same, sounded the same.

  To her surprise, he reappeared moments later.

  Keeping his distance, he said, “You shouldn’t be out here alone. I’ll take you home.”

  She started to object. Then, remembering Magdalena, she said, “I have my car.”

  “Right. Let’s go.” Afraid to get too close, Alex trailed her from a distance. When she unlocked the Mazda, he climbed into the back seat.

  Rylee looked at him askance, but didn’t say anything.

  When they reached her house, he got out of the car and waited at the end of the driveway until she was safely inside, looking out at him. “I’m sorry, Rylee,” he called. “I won’t bother you again.”

  His gaze moved over her for stretched seconds, as if to burn her image into his mind. And then, with a wave, he turned and strolled down the sidewalk.

  Rylee stared after him while hot tears trickled down her cheeks. She wept for what he’d become, for what he’d lost that could never be regained. Sobbed for the ache in her heart because he had changed—changed in ways that made just being with him more dangerous than she had ever imagined.

  Costain was waiting for Alex when he materialized in the penthouse living room.

  “What the hell were you doing at the beach?” Rhys inhaled sharply, then frowned. “With that woman?”

  “I had to get out of here,” Alex retorted. “I was going stir crazy. I needed to spend some time alone, without you hovering over me like some hungry vulture, watching my every move.”

  Rhys grunted softly. “Been that bad, huh?”

  Alex shrugged.

  “I just don’t want you to do anything you’ll spend the rest of your existence regretting,” Rhys said quietly, and there was a wealth of remorse in his tone. “How’s the girl?”

  “Rylee.” Alex sank down in the chair across from Costain. “Beautiful.”

  “Sounds like you were falling for her.”

  “I could have,” he admitted. If it hadn’t been for his guilt over Paula’s death. If Rhys hadn’t turned him into a monster.

  “Feeling sorry for yourself, O’Donnell?”

  “Why shouldn’t I?”

  “You’re alive,” Rhys said, grinning. “More or less.”

  Alex glared at him.

  “Stop whining. You were turned by a powerful vampire. That power passes to you. You’ve got a place to stay for as long as you need it. You’re pretty well off, near as I can tell. Your family won’t have any trouble accepting you. As for Rylee, she won’t be the first woman—or the last—to fall for a vampire. Granted, relationships between our kind and mortals don’t always end well, but…” Rhys lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “It worked out all right for Daisy and for me. Why not you?”

  “You finished?” Alex muttered irritably.

  “All right. End of lecture.” Costain cuffed him on the arm. “Let’s go get a drink.”

  Alex had expected to go hunting, so he was surprised when Rhys transported the two of them to La Mort Rouge. “What are we doing here?” he asked, glancing around the club.

  “No need to hunt when there are a dozen beautiful women here who are more than eager to satisfy our thirst.”

  Taking a seat at the bar, Alex looked at the numbered doors.

  Rhys moved behind the bar and filled two glasses with wine. Handing one to Alex, he jerked his chin toward the leggy blonde striding toward them, hips swaying provocatively. “Ah, Jean Marie,” he murmured.

  She smiled at Alex. “Who might this be?”

  “This is Alex. Alex, this lovely creature is Jean Marie. Why don’t you take her to one of the empty rooms? She’ll be happy to satisfy your appetites,” he said with a leer. “All of them.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think so.”

  “Not to your taste? Perhaps you would prefer Juliette or Monique? Perhaps Angelique?”

  “Do you not find me pleasing?” Jean Marie asked with a pretty pout.

  “What? No, no, you’re beautiful.”

  With a smile, she reached for his hand and tugged him to his feet.

  Staring daggers at Costain, Alex reluctantly followed the blonde into room number seven.

  “What is your pleasure, mon ami vampire?” she crooned as she closed the door and leaned back against it.

  Alex muttered an oath. She was a beautiful girl, perhaps in her early twenties, although the w
orldly-wise expression in her eyes made her seem older. She wore a dark-red gown with slits in the sides that showed off her legs, while the low-cut bodice revealed a generous amount of creamy white cleavage.

  Taking his hand, she moved to the bed and tugged him down beside her. “Don’t be afraid, Alex,” she said, her voice husky. “I won’t bite.” She laughed softly as she brushed her hair away from her neck. “I’ll leave that to you.”

  Alex stared at her. Jean Marie was a beautiful girl, there was no doubt about that. And more than willing. Her blood smelled like ambrosia and his hunger quickly stirred to life, demanding to be fed. Drawing her into his embrace, he buried his fangs in her sweet flesh and wished, fleetingly, that it was Rylee moaning softly in his arms.

  Sitting at the bar, Rhys chuckled as the scent of blood drifted from room number seven.

  CHAPTER 15

  Rylee reclined in a tub full of lavender-scented bubbles, willing herself to relax and trying not to cry. She didn’t know why she was so upset. Sure, it was terrible, what had happened to Alex, but they hardly knew each other. Still, she had felt a kinship with him, a kindred soul. Deep in her heart, she had hoped that, when his mourning period was over, they might pursue their mutual attraction and see where it led.

  But that would never happen now.

  If she lived to be a hundred, she would never forget him, or the way he’d made her feel.

  Over the next few days, Rylee threw herself into her work. She took every day-time job that came along in an effort to keep from thinking about Alex. She took photos of a half-dozen movie stars for Summerville, sent a portfolio of wildlife shots to Alger.

  When she wasn’t working, she wrote new copy for her web page, balanced her checking account, rearranged her kitchen cupboards, rummaged through her closet and threw out the shirts, skirts, and pants she hadn’t worn in over a year.

  None of those tasks kept her from thinking about Alex. What did vampires do with their time? Granted, they slept all day. Did they spend their nights hunting? She shuddered to think of him preying on helpless men and women, stealing their blood. In movies, vampires always killed their prey—or turned them into other vampires. Was that fact or fiction? Was being Undead as awful as she thought it would be? What did his family think?