Everlasting Embrace

by Amanda Ashley

  She smiled inwardly. If she had to have a warden, she was glad it was Alex and not Costain. And if this had indeed been a prison, she couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful one. Dark blue-gray carpet that must have been two inches deep covered the floor. Twin sofas made of black leather faced each other in front of a white marble fireplace. She stared at the painting over the mantel, wondering if it was a genuine Botticelli.

  “Where on earth did he get that?” Rylee exclaimed, gesturing at the life-size statue of a Madonna that stood in one corner. “It looks like it belongs in the Vatican.”

  “I think he stole it from a Catholic church a couple hundred years ago. But you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Alex said, picking up her suitcase, “until you’ve seen the bedroom.”

  Curious, Rylee followed him down a short hall, gasped when he opened the door.

  “Holy cow,” she murmured. “We’ve discovered Satan’s boudoir.” The room was gaudy beyond belief, all done in red and black. Heavy drapes covered the windows, no doubt to block the sun. The bed was the biggest she had ever seen, as was the TV that covered most of one wall, and the fireplace that occupied another. There were more paintings in this room. Rylee was no expert, but they all looked old enough to be originals. A curio cabinet held a number of figurines, all depicting mythical creatures.

  “The bathroom’s in there,” Alex said, gesturing at a closed door to the right. He dropped her suitcase on the foot of the bed. “Seen enough?”

  “More than enough,” she muttered, thinking she wouldn’t be surprised if staying in this room gave her nightmares. “Where will you sleep?”

  He glanced from her to the bed and back again. “On the floor. Or in the closet.”

  Leaving the bedroom, Rylee noticed a closed door at the other end of the hall.

  “That’s Costain’s office,” Alex said as they made their way back to the living room.

  Rylee sank down on one of the sofas and glanced around again. There was no sign of a kitchen, though she spied an office-sized refrigerator on the floor in one corner, alongside a large ice chest.

  Following her gaze, Alex said, “I bought those earlier. The fridge is filled with sandwich makings and milk. There’s soda, juice, and some fruit in the ice chest. If you let me know what else you want, I’ll get it for you.”

  It would be like camping indoors, Rylee thought. All she needed was a propane stove and a plastic tub to wash her dishes.

  “You haven’t had dinner, have you?” Alex asked, when her stomach growled.

  She shook her head.

  “Do you feel like going out?”

  “Do you think it’s safe?”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “I doubt if she’d try anything in a crowded restaurant.”

  “What about getting there and back?”

  “Do you trust me?” Alex asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

  She tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “I can get us there and back with little risk.”

  “How?”

  “I’ll just think us there.”

  Rylee frowned at him. “Think us there? How do you do that?”

  “I don’t know,” he said with a disarming grin. “Are you game to give it a whirl?”

  “What do I have to do?”

  “Just hang on to me.”

  “I don’t know.” In the end, curiosity overcame her trepidation. “All right. Just let me change my clothes.”

  Being transported through time and space was an experience unlike anything she had ever felt before. Alex had put his arm around her waist, instructed her to lock her arms around his neck, and the next thing she knew, they were standing in the shadows beside an Italian restaurant in San Diego.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “I will be, as soon as my stomach stops churning.”

  He grinned at her. “It takes some getting used to,” he allowed as they walked around to the entrance. “If you don’t like Italian, we can go somewhere else.”

  “No, it’s my favorite.”

  The place was lovely, Rylee thought as she stepped inside. Classic Italian décor, pale walls adorned with oil paintings of vineyards and villas. They were seated immediately. She ordered a Caesar salad and ravioli. Alex ordered a bottle of red wine.

  “Won’t they think it’s strange that you’re not eating anything?” Rylee asked after the waitress left to turn in their order.

  Alex shrugged. “Maybe, but it doesn’t matter.”

  Wondering if her life would ever be the same again. Rylee nibbled on a bread stick, felt her cheeks grow warm when she noticed Alex watching her. “Do you miss eating?”

  “Sometimes. Italian was my favorite, too.”

  “We should have gone somewhere else.”

  He shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me.” What bothered him was the scent of her hair, the fragrance of her skin, the constant temptation of her nearness.

  Alex sat back when her dinner came, a glass of wine in his hand. They made small talk about the weather, the rising cost of gasoline, the latest movies, avoiding all mention of Magdalena and vampires.

  Until they were back in Costain’s lair and Alex turned on the news. And there, in living color, was a blanket-draped body surrounded by police while a reporter gave the grisly details.

  “She’s never going to stop, is she?” Rylee asked tremulously.

  “I think she’s baiting Rhys, hoping to make him give me up.”

  “Do you think that’s what she wants?”

  “Yeah. I think she’s hoping to make a trade. Rhys agrees to turn me over to her and she agrees to leave the city.”

  “Would he do that?”

  “I sure as hell hope not.”

  “So do I.”

  For a moment, silence stretched between them. They came together as if drawn by the same magnet.

  Rylee closed her eyes as he wrapped her in his embrace, holding on as if he would never let go. She clung to him in return, as if her arms would keep him safe. She couldn’t bear the thought of that vampire torturing him, destroying him—couldn’t abide the thought of never seeing him again. The depths of her feelings shocked her. She scarcely knew him and yet he had suddenly become the most important thing in her life.

  Alex held her closer as he rained kisses on her temples, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, the corners of her eyes, before settling on her lips. He was stunned by her passion. The attraction had always been there, but this…

  It was as if someone had lit a fire between them. His hands skimmed her back, cupped her breast. They fell back onto the sofa, arms and legs entwined, mouths fused together.

  Rylee moaned softly, both protest and plea as he caressed her. She wanted him to stop before it was too late.

  She never wanted him to stop.

  As the flames grew hotter, so did his urge to possess her, body and soul, to sink his fangs into the soft tender flesh of her neck and satisfy his thirst even as he longed to bury himself in her sweet flesh and satisfy his desire.

  As though sensing the change in him, Rylee pulled away and scrambled to her feet, gasping for breath.

  Alex stared at the floor, his breathing erratic. “Go to bed, Rylee,” he growled. “And lock the door.”

  She wanted to run, but some innate instinct for survival told her that was the worst thing she could go. Murmuring, “Good night,” she walked sedately to the bedroom and quickly bolted the heavy door behind her.

  She stood there for several minutes, waiting for her heart to stop pounding, her breathing to return to normal. “Vampire,” she whispered.

  Sinking down on the mattress, she rocked back and forth. She had to remember that no matter how much she cared for Alex, no matter how attracted to him she might be, her life was in jeopardy every minute they were together.

  Alex paced the floor, his hands clenching and unclenching. He needed to get out of here, needed to be outside, away from the temptation that was Rylee. But he couldn’
t go off and leave her alone. No matter how secure Costain’s lair was supposed to be, he couldn’t leave her alone, not with Magdalena prowling the city like some insatiable tiger.

  Dammit!

  He raked his fingers through his hair as he cursed his lack of self-control. He would never forget the stark horror in her eyes. The scent of her fear had permeated the air, crawled over his skin, reminding him that he was less than human now.

  Nosferatu.

  Undead.

  A monster.

  Tormented with regret, he drove his fist into the wall, felt a satisfying jolt of pain as his skin split, dripping dark-red blood on the floor. Shit!

  “What the hell?” Costain’s voice sounded behind him. “Do you know how hard it is to get blood out of that carpet?”

  “No,” Alex retorted. “But I’m sure you do.”

  “Smart ass.” Tilting his head back, Rhys sniffed the air. “What happened?

  Alex lifted one shoulder and let it fall.

  Rhys grinned inwardly. There was really no need to ask. The scents of musk, fear, and desire hung heavy in the air, painting a clear picture of what had gone on. “You might need to slow things down just a bit,” he suggested.

  “Back off, Costain! It’s none of your business.”

  “Excuse me if I disagree, fledgling. But this is my lair, not yours. To quote a certain TV father, ‘I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.’”

  Alex glared at him, and then shook his head. “You know what happened, dammit. Things got out of hand. I didn’t mean to scare her, but…I don’t know. Maybe it’s not such a good idea for Rylee to stay here, at least not with me.”

  “Have you got a better idea?”

  “You know I don’t.”

  “Then you’ll just have to control yourself, won’t you?”

  “You’re no help at all, you know that?”

  “Stop being so hard on yourself, kid. Everything gets easier, with time.”

  Time, Alex thought. If Magdalena had her way, he might not have a helluva lot left.

  CHAPTER 20

  Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, Sylvi watched Magdalena pace the floor of her lair, heedless of the dead body sprawled in the corner.

  “Where is he?” Magdalena shrieked. “Damn his soul, why can’t I find him? I’ve looked everywhere!” Striding to the sofa, she slapped Sylvi across the face—once, twice, three times. “Are you sure he’s even in Los Angeles?”

  Sylvi cowered back against the sofa. “Yes. I watched his house day and night. I followed him to the airport and saw him buy his ticket.”

  “There are hunters in the city,” Magdalena raged. “What if they find him first? And you,” she hissed. “I don’t know why I keep you around. You’ve been no help at all! And what about the girl? You were supposed to bring her to me!”

  Sylvi flinched as the vampire struck her again. “I’m sorry, mistress,” she whimpered. “The girl wasn’t at her house. As for O’Donnell…” She shrugged. “I’ve asked everyone I know. They’re all afraid to speak to me for fear of incurring Costain’s wrath.” The other vampires in the area weren’t the only ones afraid of Costain., she thought. As terrified as she was of her mistress, she was more frightened of the Master of the City—which was one reason why she kept her mouth shut.

  The second reason was more compelling, because she knew where to find Rhys Costain. And that was one vampire she wanted nothing to do with.

  CHAPTER 21

  Rylee shook her head, her expression mutinous. “Tell Rhys I don’t want to go!”

  “I know you don’t,” Alex said. “But I’m not leaving you here alone, and since I have to go, so do you.”

  Rylee sat back on the sofa, arms folded over her chest. She couldn’t argue with both of them, but, after what had happened last night, she no longer felt entirely safe with Alex. She doubted if she would ever feel safe anywhere again.

  “He’ll be here in a minute,” Alex said, “so put your shoes on.”

  She glared at him, then stomped into the bedroom and slammed the door.

  Alex paced the floor, wondering if she would ever forgive him for last night. He knew he’d scared her. Hell, he’d scared himself because he’d wanted her so desperately. All of her. He wanted her warm and pliable in his arms, her hands caressing him. Wanted to taste her, not just her blood, but all of her. Dammit!

  He sensed Costain’s presence moments before the vampire materialized in the room. “Are you two ready?”

  “Rylee’s putting on her shoes.’

  Grunting softly, Rhys strolled down the hall and pounded a fist on the bedroom door. “Let’s move it along in there.”

  Mouth set in a tight line, Rylee flung the door open, no easy task considering it was solid oak.

  Rhys grinned as he read her mind. “Hate me all you want,” he said, striding into the living room. “You’re going. The question is, who do you want to go with?”

  She glanced from one vampire to the other, blew out a sigh of resignation, and muttered, “Who do you think?”

  Alex didn’t miss the way she shuddered when he slipped his arm around her waist, or her grimace when she laced her hands behind his neck.

  When the world righted itself again, they were standing outside a small beach house with weathered siding.

  Rhys opened the door with a wave of his hand.

  Alex gestured for Rylee to precede him.

  After being in Costain’s penthouse, she had expected more of the same. But this place was devoid of furniture save for a pair of leather couches and two overstuffed leather chairs. Four men occupied the room—two on one sofa, two on the other. They all turned to stare at her with hungry eyes.

  “She’s mine,” Alex said flatly.

  “And under my protection,” Rhys added. “Rylee, meet Julius, Rupert, Nicholas and Randolph.”

  The men nodded at her, each in turn.

  “Rylee, sit down,” Alex said.

  She didn’t argue. And even though she no longer trusted him, she was glad when he stood behind her chair, one had resting possessively on her shoulder.

  Rhys, too, remained standing.

  “So, why are we here?” Julius asked.

  “There are two hunters in town,” Rhys said. “Both experienced.”

  Nicholas frowned. “Are they hunting anyone in particular? Or will any head do?”

  “I don’t know. I’m more concerned about Magdalena’s vendetta against Alex.”

  Julius dragged his hand across his jaw. “Still no idea where she is?”

  Rhys shook his head. “I’m thinking I might just wander through the city. Perhaps she’ll find me.”

  Nicholas leaned forward, eyes narrowed. “And then what?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll offer to give her Alex if she’ll get out of L.A.”

  Rylee stared at Costain, then glanced over her shoulder at Alex, wondering if the two of them had discussed such a trade, since Alex had mentioned the very same thing to her not long ago.

  Costain glanced at Rupert. “You’ve been uncharacteristically silent tonight. Something on your mind?”

  Rupert looked up, startled, then shook his head. “Whatever you want to do is fine with me. You know that.”

  “What if she agreed to your terms?” Julius asked, putting into words what they were all thinking. “What then?”

  “I guess I’d meet with her,” Rhys said with a wolfish grin. “After all, I can’t take her head if I can’t find her.”

  The meeting ended a short time later.

  Rylee watched in amazement as Rupert, Nicholas, Randolph, and Julius simply shimmered out of sight.

  “Take Rylee home,” Costain said curtly “I’m going to the club.” He disappeared without waiting for a reply.

  “Are you ready to go?” Alex asked.

  “I guess so.”

  “Rylee.” Coming around the chair, he knelt in front of her. “Please don’t be afraid of me,” he said, when she flinched. �
�I’m sorry about last night. I know things got out of hand. I can’t promise it won’t happen again. I don’t have a lot of control right now. But I’ll keep my distance and when this is over…” He didn’t want to think about that, because when this was over, he knew she’d never want to see him again.

  Clasping her hands in her lap, she said, “I know it’s not your fault. But it happened and you’re right, seeing you like that…”

  “I understand.” He’d killed enough of them to know how vampires looked when they were about to lose control—fangs bared, eyes blazing red. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  Rylee made an effort not to recoil when he reached for her. She told herself there was nothing to fear at the moment, and that, as long as she kept her distance, he would be able to control his hunger. But she didn’t really believe it. Last night, every time she’d closed her eyes, she had seen his face, his eyes hell-red with hunger. She’d had horrible nightmares of being chased by ravening vampires, of blood and death, of being trapped in the dark with no way out and no one to help her. Dreamed of Alex rising over her, eyes glowing as he plunged his fangs into her throat while he ravaged her body.

  When they reached Costain’s lair, she pleaded a headache, went into the bedroom, and bolted the door.

  Throwing herself on the bed, she cried until she had no tears left.

  The sound of Rylee slamming the bolt home sounded like a death knell in Alex’s ears and he cursed himself anew for shattering what little trust she’d had in him.

  Dropping onto the sofa, he stared into the darkness, thinking he would have been better off if Rhys had just let him die.

  He was so lost in feeling sorry for himself it took him a minute to realize his phone was ringing. Picking it up, he scowled when he saw who it was. “Daisy, what do you want?”

  “Is that any way to talk to your only sister?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Why are you so down in the dumps?”

  “What kind of stupid question is that? Why do you think? Does the word vampire ring a bell?”

  She blew out an audible sigh. “We’re coming home.”

  “Not on my account, I hope.”