Dark Rapture

by Hauf, Michele

  “Sebastian and I have been friends forever, it seems. I love him and shall stand by him whenever duty calls, and I know he would do the same for me. Sebastian LeReaux is a good man and it pleases me to see that he has captured the heart of such a lovely and fascinating woman. If I had any less scruples I would take you in my arms and kiss you until you could no longer remember your betrothed’s name. But . . .”

  “But?” Scarlet wondered if he would dare.

  “But.” He smiled. “I am afraid that not even a woman of your beauty and charm is enough to entice me away from the trusting friendship I have earned of Sebastian LeReaux. I shall never let a woman come between the two of us and I know Sebastian feels the same.”

  “Oh?” Knowing what she knew, Scarlet could offer only that. For, if she carried out her plan, eventually a woman would come between the two of them.

  Should she stop it from happening? She could.

  “Elisabeth?”

  “Forgive me. I was thinking how nice it must be to have a friend like you. You are a good man, Francesco; don’t ever forget that. And please, remember your words. Never let a woman come between you and Sebastian. I would hate to see the two of you at each other’s throats over so petty a thing.”

  He bowed and walked two paces away, turned grandly and bowed again. “I promise, mademoiselle. Anything to make you happy. Now! To begin, we must salute. It’s a formality that is required in all duels and sporting matches. You must pay the proper respect to your enemy, unless of course he dashes at you in attack.”

  Following his example, Scarlet snapped her arm up at a right angle, bringing the hilt of the sword almost to her nose, and then slashing it away from her body. But as she lowered it, the tip slashed through her skirts. “Oh!”

  “Are you all right?” Francesco dashed to her.

  “I’m fine.” She examined the tear. Not so bad but the maids would hate her for the extra sewing. She pushed Francesco’s hand away and shook out her skirts. “Don’t worry, it’s a small tear. Just give me a few minutes to get used to handling one of these things.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t do this. I wouldn’t want Sebastian—”

  “Francesco,” Scarlet pointed the tip of her blade his way and walked closer until it rested menacingly on the shoulder of his velvet frockcoat. “Why is it everyone around here assumes that I belong to Sebastian? His mother and father already have us married, and, no doubt, with children. Jacques has us moved in with my family, and Gregoire . . . well, he’s the only one who hasn’t bought a wedding gift yet, I presume. But even you?”

  “I . . . I’m sorry, Elisabeth, I mean no offense.” He cautiously guided the tip of her sword away and she retreated, pointing it to the grass. “But I do know that Sebastian has proposed to you, has he not? And well, I’m sorry for making assumptions, but does that not mean—”

  “No, Francesco, that does not mean anything.” She began to pace, slicing off the tops of helpless blades of grass.

  “You’re not going to break his heart, are you?”

  She turned to stare into the most concerned and loving blue eyes she’d ever seen. And she knew that in breaking Sebastian’s heart she would also be breaking Francesco’s. Things are getting more complicated all the time. She was no longer in the mood for fencing.

  “You said you have rent to collect somewhere?”

  “Mmm, yes, I suppose you are right. I should be going. But will I have the opportunity to continue your lessons at a future date?”

  Meaning, you are going to marry Sebastian, aren't you? You wouldn’t break his heart by saying no.

  “I hope so, Francesco. I do love Sebastian very much.”

  He smiled but Scarlet could see that he’d seen the trace of uncertainty in her heart. But what could she do? Lie, and tell him that all was going to be well? It was becoming harder to know what to say anymore. The question of whether or not she had the right to alter history was growing larger by the minute. She wished Sebastian would return soon.

  “I’ll see myself out, then.” He grabbed his coat. “Until next time, Elisabeth Montrose. Say hello to Sebastian for me, will you?”

  Francesco turned and strutted across the yard.

  “I have a feeling next time will be a lot later than you think,” she whispered as he disappeared.

  ***

  Supper came and went with no sign of Sebastian. Jacques returned home with a note from him, which he had Angelique deliver. Sebastian sent apologies, but while in town he had heard that the Vicomte Remond had taken ill and he had stopped by, offering to sit with him until he fell asleep.

  Scarlet looked to Angelique for explanation.

  “Vicomte Remond has been instrumental in Sebastian’s musical education. He bought him a guitar for his twelfth birthday and has procured lessons for him ever since. Roland doesn’t like it, but Sebastian sneaks out to the vicomte’s once a week. The poor man, I hope he recovers.”

  “Do you think he’ll be back tonight?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Would you like me to send him up when he arrives?”

  “That would be good of you, Angelique. We have some things to talk about.” She sighed and walked to the window.

  “Don’t worry, child. Bastian won’t keep you waiting any longer than necessary. I’ll send Annalise up with some hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon.” Angelique closed the door.

  Scarlet looked down at the white dress that she’d worn the first night she’d met Sebastian and spread her hands over the smooth silk. The tiny pearls were the same color as the moon and she realized now that it had been almost two weeks since her transformation. Could she remember everything that needed to be done? It was imperative that all was done correctly. Or else . . . Sebastian would die.

  ***

  Sebastian flicked the light switch on and stood before the bathroom mirror.

  “Will I see this face, this aged old vampire, in the morning when I wake? Or will I cense to exist and crumble to dust before the night is through?”

  He pulled his hair into a thick bundle and flipped it over his shoulder. Examining his reflection he tried to see the changes the centuries had made. His forehead was still unlined and smooth and his cheeks taut and firm. But the eyes, yes, they had changed. What were once dark brown, with flecks of vibrant gold now were black. Black as lies, dark as the centuries’ sufferings.

  The years had hardened him and taken the compassion from his eyes. He felt he was still able to soften them and let Scarlet see only the gentleness. But he knew that without her they would soon become the devil’s eyes.

  “I love you, ma cherie," he whispered.

  Even if she didn't prolong his existence with her fateful bite, at least she would still have her life. For he figured that if she didn’t bite him, she would, hopefully, return to the future, since he would have never existed to meet her. And that was all that mattered to him. If Scarlet was spared and returned to her brother, he would sacrifice his life for hers.

  With a flick of his hand, the bathroom went dark and he padded into the bedroom, pausing by the window to watch the clouds pass over the surface of the half moon.

  He remembered rushing home that night after the vicomte’s fever had broken. Elisabeth—or rather Scarlet—had been waiting for him with her answer.

  He knew now why his proposal had been refused. Whether or not she transformed him, she would return to the present. But would she marry him now? If she ever returned to him, would she take his hand in marriage?

  “Will you love me now, Scarlet?”

  He walked over to the closet, and without turning on the interior light, felt along the edge of a shelf at the top of the wall. His fingers fumbled over stacks of rock n’ roll magazines and piles of folded pants and shirts, and found a gilt-edged black box. He pulled it down. Standing in the arch between the closet and his room he plucked out the souvenir that he’d saved for his vampire lifetime.

  The dry brittle petals of a rose, once white, now grayed with time, crackled in
his fingers. He'd cut the withered stem down but one shriveled thorn remained. It was stained dark brown.

  With a sigh he sank into a chair. He clasped his fingers around the brittle flower and held it to his chest, closing his eyes to wait.

  Chapter Thirty

  Encapsulated within the mysterious orgasmic swoon, the pain hit his heart. It shattered and spread throughout his veins, swiftly encompassing his body.

  “Aaahh!” The terror in his voice brought Vince back to reality and he jerked upright behind the steering wheel, his fingers clenching it.

  For a moment he looked blankly around the parking lot, unable to shake the visions of blood. Blood pouring from his stomach, and his hands, and even from his mouth. But then the rain started. Water pounded the hood of his car, sounding like a rubber mallet against a metal can.

  Shaking frantically, he reached for the key and warmed the ignition. He wondered if he was hyperventilating, his breathing was so erratic. Leaning over, he felt beneath the passenger’s seat for a bag. But when his chest hit the seat and his cheek brushed across the smooth interior he closed his eyes and rested.

  “What’s happening to me?”

  He’d never passed out during a headache before. Why had it happened this time, and with that dreadful dream?

  Rolling his forehead across the seat he wiped the sweat away and then sat up.

  It was going to be a long drive home.

  ***

  “Elisabeth.”

  Scarlet turned to see the carved oak panel on the far wall open up and Sebastian slipped through, closing it behind him. He carried a single white rose in one hand and in the other, a candle that dripped wax down to the well of a brass holder.

  “Sebastian, it’s nearly midnight. Is the vicomte all right?”

  “Cherie, my apologies. And yes, I believe he is going to be well, in time. The fever broke and he was able to take some broth before I left. But the man wanted me to get back to you and . . . well, I couldn’t argue with him. Do you forgive me for being away from you for the whole day?”

  “Of course.”

  “This is for you.”

  He handed her the rose, then turned his back to place the candle on the table. At that moment she couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, her life had been carefully planned by some greater force and she was following the blueprint.

  Turning to her, Sebastian said, “I’m eager to hear your answer.” His voice was shaky and quiet, but he took her face into his hands and kissed her deeply, lighting the flame that had simmered all night.

  To begin with her plan. “I received a letter from my uncle Vincent today. He feels I’ve spent enough time here and directed me to leave tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I understand. But—”

  “Let me finish, Sebastian.”

  He nodded and stared helplessly at her as she spoke. “I want to tell my uncle about your proposal and discuss it with him. I’m sure he’ll want to meet you, as will the rest of my family. I don’t think they would like it if I got engaged in their absence. You understand, don’t you? I don’t want to leave you, Sebastian, but we’ll be together again soon.”

  His dark eyes shimmered with tears. “Does that mean you cannot accept my proposal?”

  He was going to make this hard, she thought, looking away toward the window. “No, but I don’t want to give you my answer just yet. It’s only fair that my family know about this before I make my decision. So I must be cruel and keep you in the dark for a while longer.”

  She hated lying to him. But she would tell him the truth later. Much later, like two hundred years into the future. If everything worked as planned.

  “I love you, Elisabeth. And it is right what you must do. But it’s going to be hard for me in your absence. I love you dearly.”

  Those words never sounded as good to her as they did right now. She loved him. So why was fate forcing her to perform such an unspeakable injustice?

  “I love you too, Sebastian.” Tears flowed down her cheeks and she brushed them away.

  He took her into his arms, crushing the rose between them as he did. His kisses were sweet, but untamed as his discretion made way for passion. A thorn pushed through her silk bodice, piercing her skin. Scarlet didn’t cry out; she couldn’t, she didn’t want him to stop, now that she had made up her mind.

  She was to be the creator of this wild child.

  She slipped her hands inside his brocade coat and worked the buttons of his lacy shirt until she could spread her hands over his chest. His chest was hard and hot and he flinched momentarily when her cool fingers flitted over his skin, but then he relaxed and renewed his frenzied kisses and the heat from his body quickly warmed her hands.

  Scarlet sighed and skated her lips down his skin, eager to feel his heart beat under her mouth. His skin was salty on her tongue, the pounding furious under his chest, and soon she felt her own heartbeat match his.

  “We are soul mates, Sebastian,” she whispered. “We belong together forever.” And then she whispered so softly that he couldn’t hear, “I should never have doubted it.”

  The ties behind her neck loosened under Sebastian’s rapid fingers and her dress fell to the floor in a heap of poufy white satin.

  “Soul mates.” He tried the words. “Yes, I like that. We must never part, cherie." Lost in a frenzied desire, he whispered, “I feel it, too. My heart belongs to you forever.”

  Eager with the task at hand, Scarlet fell to her knees and quickly unbuttoned Sebastian’s breeches, releasing the metal clasp in the back that tightened the waistline. He slipped free of his clothes, kicking his shoes to the edge of her dress.

  Words were not necessary as he cupped her chin in his hand and their eyes met. Scarlet pressed her lips to his palm and then his wrist, where she felt his rampant pulse.

  Sebastian inhaled and pushed his hands through her hair as she kissed his stomach and journeyed slowly upward. She took her time, enjoying the salty flavor of his flesh, the sweet smell of lavender that lingered from his clothes, and the tormented moans he struggled to contain. She lingered over his nipples, as she nipped and kissed the hot flesh.

  Finally Scarlet stood in his arms and Sebastian pulled her onto the bed. The moon highlighted their naked bodies as they clung to one another and began to make love for the first time in history. Their bodies came together in a desperate attempt to join forever. He, to hold onto his new love, and she, to savor the last moments of her mortal lover’s life until she must do what was inevitable.

  Sebastian shackled one of her wrists over her head. This was not the time for stolen kisses or discreet embraces. His tongue was hot against her flesh as he slid from her lips, down her chin and throat, and lashed at her nipple. She gasped and pulled him to her breast, and he began to kiss and suck at it fiercely.

  She arched her back, and Sebastian slid his hands beneath her back, locking her in his frenzied embrace. Scarlet slipped her fingers through the curled hairs between his legs and grasping him firmly.

  “Oh, cherie," Sebastian gasped. “I have said before that you are an angel, and this is true.” His lips feathered across her stiffened nipples, and his tongue flicked out to tease the curve of her breast as she kept a firm hold on him. “But what you do to me . . . you must be the devil’s angel in disguise.”

  “Perhaps I am.” She breathed and began to stroke him with her encircled fingers. “No man had ever had this effect on me.”

  He set his chin on her chest, his eyes pleading. “I must have you now.”

  His body melded to hers as if made from the same mold and his fingers seduced her into an uncontrollable rage of unearthly excitement. If ever she’d feared or doubted his love for her, now she was able to accept it. Vampire or not, she did belong to Sebastian. She was his blood child, his soul mate. And tonight he would become hers.

  Scarlet wrapped her legs around Sebastian’s hips and pulled him to her body, gasping as he entered her. Her body tensed with trepidation as her lover moved above
her, his eyes closed as each movement brought them closer to the edge.

  “I promise my love to you forever,” she whispered and unable to prolong the ecstasy, she relaxed and let Sebastian bring her body to a tumultuous climax. “Forever, Sebastian DelaCourte.”

  He looked up, having heard her slip with his name, but at the same time his body stiffened as he matched her orgasm. He shuddered tremulously, his jaw clenched as he shared her rapture. Falling to his side, exhausted, he gasped. “I can’t let you leave me.”

  She sighed as the last shudder traveled through her body. She hated to be reminded of her imminent task. “We will see each other again, I promise.”

  He twirled her hair around his finger and kissed the hollow of her neck. “You haven’t lied to me yet.”

  Yet? Oh Sebastian, if you only knew. This whole thing has been one big charade.

  She was going to cry and desperately held the tears back. She smoothed her hand along the side of Sebastian’s neck. She could feel his pulse. Their heartbeats had synchronized. He smiled at her, taking her finger from his neck and slipping it into his mouth.

  Yes, she wanted them to be one again. One in heart, one in soul. And one in blood.

  Rising to her knees, Scarlet breathed in the fresh air that drifted through the opened window. The candle flickered across the papered walls and cast a shadow over Sebastian’s face. With a seductive smile, she pushed him back into the thick pillows and straddled him.

  She closed her eyes and prayed that her thoughts would travel through the barriers of time. I'm coming back to you, Sebastian.

  “Trust me now when I say that some day you’ll understand, Sebastian. I love you.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Vince pushed his head back against the seat. The sun had set hours ago and the half moon curved into the pink sky. He'd be home soon.

  If he could he make it.

  The roof of his mouth was dry and his tongue felt as scratchy as a cat’s as he swished it back and forth in an attempt to bring the saliva to his parched lips. His mind fought to see the road clearly while his body battled the unknown enemy within.