“So, you mean anyone I drink from can become a vampire?”
“No, there’s more to it than that. Last night I drank the blood from your body, draining you to the point where your heart was ready to burst. If it had you would have died but I knew when that was about to happen. A heart slows to a virtual halt as the blood is drained but it speeds to an incredible pace just before exploding. And then, to complete the process, you in turn had to drink from me and take vampire blood into your system. As simple as that.”
His casual explanation of exploding hearts and drinking blood made her cringe, and a cool shiver tickled her spine.
He stood and walked around to the other side of the table, content to examine the square tiles beneath his feet. Scarlet kept thinking about the soul of another person dying within him. How tragic. Yet a just punishment for the animal who saw fit to take his victim’s life. She prayed she would be able to control her own actions.
“It’s almost noon,” he said.
It was time to leave before Gary or Vince discovered them. But she had one more question.
“Why did you choose me, Sebastian?”
He resumed his usual charm. “Because, from the first day I met you at your party, I knew. There was something that drew me to you. We are soul mates, Scarlet. Call it destiny. Fate.”
“I don’t believe in fate.”
“I do,” he answered quickly.
“Fine.” She looked away, and again the dying souls screamed in her ear. “To each his own.”
The silence was nerve-wracking until Sebastian finally cleared his throat and said, “You wouldn’t believe this, but you do remind me of a woman I once knew.”
Scarlet eyed her new master suspiciously.
“The resemblance you have to her is incredible.”
So that was his game. “The only reason you’re attracted to me is because I look like one of your old lovers?” Her tone regained the violent edge she’d possessed earlier.
“No, that’s not true.” Sebastian looked annoyed at her statement and realized that he hadn’t put things clearly. “Besides, she wasn’t just an ‘old lover.’ She was the woman who created me.
Now that interested Scarlet. “A woman created you?”
“I knew her for a short time. Right after she transformed me, she disappeared. I haven’t seen her since.”
“Nice chick. And you loved her?” she asked with a touch of grinding sarcasm.
“Yes, I did,” he said and then shook his head as if trying to erase her image from his memory. “But that doesn’t matter anymore. I love you now, and there will never be another.”
Scarlet held up her hand. “I told you not to say that to me. I don’t want to hear that word, at least not from you.”
“As you would say; to each his own.” The sarcasm slipped from his voice. “I will try to restrain myself but I can’t promise I won’t let it slip once in a while, because that is how I truly feel about you, Scarlet. I will love you for eternity.”
“Eternity is a long time,” she said bluntly.
Sebastian cupped his hands around her face and spoke with all his heart. “Time will never wither my feelings for you. I will love you forever, ma cherie.”
She twisted her head out of his hands and stared at the tiles below her feet, feeling his breath upon her face. She doubted his words. Why should he be telling her the truth now when he so selfishly plotted to take her mortal life last night? And he’d lied about killing someone.
She could never trust him.
But why did he have such a magnetic pull at her heart?
“Perhaps we should leave now.” He dug through the pocket in his leather jacket and pulled out his sunglasses. “Here, take these. I’ll be okay.”
She accepted them. “Fine. Good-bye.” She stepped around him and started for the door.
“I’ll know if you need me,” he called as she slammed the door.
Chapter Twelve
Scarlet decided to sneak through the back door. Although Gary’s car was gone, she didn’t want to take the chance of running into him. The beach house was silent as she hurried up the stairs and sought refuge in her room. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it, exhaling a sigh.
Tossing Sebastian’s sunglasses on the vanity, she stared at the bumpy white ceiling, thinking about what had happened last night and this morning. In total awe, was the only way to describe how she had felt as Sebastian had explained things to her. How he had become a vampire. How she had to protect her eyes from the sun and wouldn’t have to worry about eating ever again. Because she was baptized she now had to fear holy object? And the blood hunger. And how he had been created over two centuries ago. Why would that woman have left so quickly after transforming him into a vampire? Where was she now?
Sebastian’s face appeared in her mind. Eyes of liquid coal and infectious charm. So handsome and still so young after all these years. When would his end come? And when would she cease to exist? Or was that something that would never happen? How Sebastian must have struggled through the years watching all those he knew grow old and die while he remained.
Such a beautiful man, capable of tender and passionate feelings. Memories of the love he’d shared with her last night made her body tingle. But he had been so cruel to her before. Their first disastrous date would never be erased from her mind. The bruises from his attack had healed, but she would always remember.
“I will never love you, Sebastian,” she said aloud.
Then, silently, she wondered if maybe she already did.
***
Sebastian sat on the porch steps twirling a blade of grass between his fingers. He couldn’t believe what he had done. He had been cruel. Too cruel for one who was trying to win the love of another.
Guilt gnawed at his heart like a cutworm on a rose leaf. He wished he had the ability to turn back time. Last night had not been the way to gain her trust.
His conscience whispered loudly, You 're not regretting what you've done, are you?
Yes, a little, he thought. He wished it had been different, that Scarlet had come to him and asked for immortality. That she had known what was going to happen to her. No. I don’t regret it.
But he knew that it would be some time before she could begin to trust him.
And there was Francesco to worry about now. Sebastian had been unable to sense his presence since creating Scarlet and gaining new strength. But that only proved the man was hiding, waiting, and probably plotting his revenge.
***
Back and forth the mop made its mark across the marble floor dirtied with years of neglect. Scarlet had offered to help Gary and Vince with final cleaning duty after seeing that neither of them intended to actually clean. Yesterday they had started hauling in couches and chairs and plopped them down right in the middle of all the dust and dirt.
Sloshing her mop around in the brown water, she paused to stretch her back, feeling her muscles groan at the self-imposed pain. The repetition and silence were therapy, providing an escape from her manic thoughts.
Arriving before them this morning, she'd made a quick run through the mansion to be sure that Sebastian had removed all signs of their encounter two days ago. He had, and it made her suspicious as to just how well planned his scheme had been.
Vince walked through the front door, crowbar in hand, and tiptoed delicately over the freshly washed floor. His long gangly legs and scrawny arms made him look like a marionette on strings and Scarlet smiled as he came closer.
“Need any help?”
Flipping a few stray curls from her face, she declined the offer, knowing that even though his intentions were good he would only hinder her. “I’m almost finished.” She surveyed the acreage of marble floor that stretched to the kitchen. “Looks pretty good, huh?”
“Yes, I’m impressed. I never realized how dirty the floor was until there was a clean section to compare it to.” He bent to observe his reflection in the shiny gray marble. “I appreciate the
help you’ve given us, Scarlet.” He laughed a deep-throated chuckle. “Can you see Gary or me pushing a mop or cleaning windows?”
“I was just thinking the same thing. If I hadn’t come when I did, I don’t think you would ever have been able to determine the actual color of this floor.”
He tapped her lightly on the shoulder with the crowbar. “It definitely helps to have a woman’s touch.”
“What’s this for?”
“We’re going to try and pry the vault open, but I don’t know if this will help. The door is iron or something, very heavy. My aunt told me it’s a crypt. I guess the entire family is supposed to be buried in there.” He grimaced. “Kind of creepy, huh?”
“So why do you want to get into it? Sounds kind of gross to me.”
“Curiosity.” He smiled. “Boys will be boys. We can’t seem to keep our fingers out of trouble. I won’t be satisfied until all nooks and crannies are thoroughly explored.”
He propped the crowbar onto his shoulder and headed toward the vault, whistling as he did. Scarlet couldn’t help but laugh at his jaunty gait. Then she stopped, realizing that her chances with him had probably been spoiled. Since her transformation she had barely felt different, besides not eating. But how would mortals treat her now? Would they know? If a mortal man kissed her, would the blood lust prompt her to bite him?
She went back to work in order to keep from thinking of either Sebastian or Vince. The front door was getting closer and soon she’d be finished. But not unless she got more clean water.
Propping the heavy oak door ajar with her foot, she picked up the mop bucket and was about to fling its contents out over the lawn when she stopped suddenly.
“Sebastian!”
He sat facing the street, his elbows resting on the top step. Tight black biker shorts stopped mid-thigh, and an oversized jersey with the number seven on it hung loosely from his shoulders. She’d never seen him so casually dressed and at that moment he struck her as being wonderfully human.
“You’re not going to dump that on me, are you?”
She peered into the murky water and considered it. “No.”
She peeked in to be sure that Gary or Vince had not come around the corner and then closed the door as she stepped out. “What are you doing here? If Gary sees you he’ll have a fit.”
“Don’t worry, this is a quick visit. I was on my way home from the studio and I knew you were here, so I decided to stop by.”
He knew I was here. She didn’t know whether she liked the fact that he could now sense where she was and find her in an instant if he wanted.
She sat next to him. It felt good to stretch her legs out and relax after being hunched over a mop for most of the morning.
Sebastian entwined his fingers through hers. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
She looked down at her hand clasped in his. He angered her with his casual attitude toward her. Would he never get the hint? She pulled her hand from his, and propped her elbows on her knees.
“I’d like to spend some time with you tonight.” He stretched his legs down the steps.
Where was the apology? He certainly owed her one.
“And why should I give you that pleasure?” She didn’t want to aggravate him. “I’m sorry, but I planned on spending the evening with Gary. He’s moving out of my place today, so this is the last chance I’ll get to see him.”
“You only live a few miles away. You’ll see him all the time,” Sebastian said. “Besides, I have a feeling you’re not going to be in a family mood tonight.”
Once again he boldly took her fingers in his hand, taking sinister delight when she cringed.
“Why would you say that?”
“It’s been two days, and you haven’t had a mortal donor yet. I’m sure the blood hunger will make its presence known tonight.”
She looked at him, so casually perched upon the steps, playing with her hand as if nothing at all was strange with his life. As if he’d never bitten her neck and changed her life forever.
“Did you forget that you are not the same as your beloved brother anymore? You must make some changes in your life. One, that your body’s needs come first and foremost.”
“Are you sure it will happen tonight? What if it doesn’t?”
“Do you want to take that chance? If the hunger should come, will you jeopardize Gary’s life by being around him tonight?”
Scarlet thought about it. She had no intention of ever telling Gary about this. And she certainly did not want to bite into her brother’s neck.
“Besides, I have something special I’d like to show you tonight.”
“What?”
“It’s a surprise.” He brought her fingers to his mouth, sucking slowly at the tips of each one, his eyes fixed to hers. “Trust me.”
His lips pressed gently upon her skin making it hard to refuse him anything. He seemed content to always touch her, bringing her pleasure with the simplest of touches.
“All right,” she said with a sigh. “Once again curiosity is going to kill the cat.”
“A cat has nine lives.”
“Yes, and this one has lost more than one lately.”
“But it doesn’t matter, because now the cat is immortal.” He spread out her hand and kissed her palm, sending a wave of cool shivers up her arm. “So that means you have an infinite number of lives,” he said as he stood up. “I’ll pick you up around nine. Will you be here?”
“No.” She didn’t want Gary to know about this little adventure. “I’ll be at home.” It would be best to keep her relationship with Sebastian a secret for the time being.
“Then I’ll see you tonight.” He walked to his car parked on the street hidden from view by shrubbery.
“Fine,” she said to herself as she watched him disappear around the shrubs. Why drive? she thought, as his car pulled away. Can't he fly like a bat? Heck, I wonder if I can?
Scarlet tiptoed into the grand room and found the two guys relaxing on the couch with beers propped on their stomachs. The vault was not open.
“I see you’re getting a lot done. What happened to the little boy’s curiosity?” She leaned in front of Vince, teasing him, “Did the big bad vault get the better of you?”
Gary slugged down his beer and sank deeper into the tattered relic they’d purchased at the Salvation Army. It was decorated with gaudy yellow flowers against a forest green background and had a few holes where the foam padding had popped out. “That door is not going to budge. Maybe a stick of dynamite would do the trick.” He looked at Vince, who raised his eyebrows as if he was considering the idea.
Vince crushed his can on the floor, then got up and headed for the kitchen. “I’m going to look in the phone book. They must have some kind of vault openers or demolition crew in there.”
Scarlet laughed and sat next to Gary. “He really wants to get that thing open.”
“Yeah, but he’s got my curiosity piqued with all his talk about family bones and treasure.”
“Treasure? He never told me about any treasure.”
“Oops.” Gary put his hand to his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Why didn’t he tell me about this treasure?”
“Because he knows better. Never let a woman know about a buried treasure ’cause she’ll try to wheedle her way in on the situation.” He laughed and put his arm around her shoulders. The beer was having an effect on his brain and a drunken smile crept onto his face.
“You guys are going treasure hunting and you didn’t trust me to tell me about it. Some brother you are.”
“We were going to tell you, but we’re not sure if there is such a thing. It’s an old story Vince’s aunt used to tell him. I doubt there’s anything of value in there, unless the coffins are plated in gold.” He laughed and popped the top on another beer.
Scarlet felt a cold finger tickle her spine. She wondered if Sebastian slept in a coffin. “Well, I don’t need to be a part of your silly boy’s games anyway.” She prete
nded to pout over her exclusion from their plan. “Really, treasure hunting.”
Vince walked back into the room just in time to catch the last bit of their conversation. “Oh man, did you tell her?”
Gary grinned lopsidedly and held the beer can before his face in a feeble attempt to hide his guilt. “She forced it out of me.
“Don’t worry, Vince, your fortune is safe from me.”
Vince sat, sinking deeply into the understuffed end of the couch until his knees were as high as his shoulders. “It’s not that. I didn’t want you thinking I was crazy for believing such a story.”
He was so sweet. Why hadn’t she gotten involved with him before Sebastian had a chance with her?
“I don’t think you’re crazy, Vince.” She stood and picked up the crowbar from the coffee table. “In fact, I hope you find what you’re looking for.” She examined the severe curve in the middle of the iron bar. “But it looks like you’re going to need something a little stronger to get that door open.”
“No problem,” he said. “I found a place that can come over and open it for us tomorrow.”
Chapter Thirteen
Sebastian drove quickly. Scarlet was on the edge of her seat with apprehension. The loose gravel threw the car back and forth across the narrow road and more than once she was sure that he was going to lose control and drive into the ditch, but he never did.
When he’d called she tried to think of an excuse to back out on their ‘date,’ but the urgency in his voice had prompted her to give in. And now she sat next to him, dressed warmly in jeans and a sweater upon his request, wondering where the heck he was taking her.
It was eleven o’clock and she had that gut feeling that she was making another mistake. But how much worse could things get? There wasn’t much more that Sebastian could do to her that would matter anyway.
He pulled over next to a iron gate that twisted around for acres into the night. Scarlet was unable to tell exactly where they were because they had driven into a cloud of fog and she could only see about five feet past the hood of the car.
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